Nurse Triage Provides Compassion and Timely Advice

Nurse Triage by OSF OnCall ensures the right resources are allocated at the right time, benefiting patients, providers and employers.

From changing technologies and rising costs to limited time and resources, the landscape of health care is challenging for employers and providers alike. New and innovative strategies are needed to meet patient demands and expectations. OSF OnCall provides a suite of digital tools to help providers expand their ability to provide high-quality care, while helping employers control costs and increase workplace productivity.  

Nurse Triage by OSF OnCall offers around-the-clock, compassionate guidance for patients seeking assistance for their health care needs. Our triage team comprises trained registered nurses who utilize national, evidence-based practice guidelines to route patients to the appropriate level of care based on their unique needs and situation. We ensure patients can speak to a registered nurse — so they can receive the timely advice they need. 

Timely expert advice 
Nurse Triage by OSF OnCall is available 24/7 for guidance on all kinds of health-related issues. A young mother called for help because her 19-month-old had been vomiting since the previous night. The child appeared to be hungry, and she needed advice on what fluids or food to offer. Our nurse assisted with information on how to prevent dehydration, when to reintroduce solid foods and when to seek additional care should the child’s symptoms worsen.  
 
In another case, a patient’s significant other called the emergency department for advice about his complaint of a headache and fever. The call was transferred to the Contact Center, where the patient was triaged for his symptoms. The nurse recommended that he be seen immediately for evaluation, but the patient did not have a primary care provider. Instead, he was directed to an OSF OnCall Urgent Care clinic where he was seen the same day for evaluation and testing. The Urgent Care team also recommended that he establish a relationship with a primary care provider for future care. 

When assisting patients, our skilled OSF nurses are known for providing kindness and empathy. We believe this is a vital component of patient care, and anecdotal reports indicate it is well appreciated. 

Above and beyond for patients 
Shea was already familiar with Joann, who had been her on-call nurse in the past. “She always has such a reassuring tone and words,” Shea explained. “She is very patient.”  

When her daughter began to experience bad stomach pain, Shea was concerned it might be appendicitis. She called for advice, and Joann encouraged her to take her daughter to the emergency department. “I wasn’t sure I should because while talking to her, my daughter seemed a little better,” Shea said. But eventually she was convinced to go, thanks to her patient triage nurse: 
“Joann stayed on the phone with me, very sweetly saying she doesn’t like to send people [to the emergency department], but she really felt I needed to go. She asked if it would make me feel better if she talked to the doctor. I appreciated that. She came back and said yes, she felt I needed to go.”  

It turns out Shea’s daughter did have appendicitis, and their timely visit to the ED prevented her from feeling even more excruciating pain. “We caught it before it burst,” Shea noted. “Thank you to Joann … for always being so sweet and going above and beyond for your patients.” 

Everyone benefits 
Nurse Triage by OSF OnCall handles over 500,000 calls each year, ensuring the right resources are allocated at the right time — to those who need them most. As a result, patients are happier and healthier. Providers experience greater efficiencies so they can focus on the most pressing issues at hand. Employers have a new tool to drive employee wellness, productivity and engagement, while keeping costs low.  

By partnering with Nurse Triage by OSF OnCall, everyone benefits from the effective allocation of limited health care resources. Give us a call or contact us online to speak with a representative who can help you realize the benefits of nurse triage. To learn more about Nurse Triage by OSF OnCall, click here.