Bergen New Bridge Medical Center said March 3 that it has expanded its Telehealth service Bergen New Bridge Cares to screen patients for COVID-19.

Along with partner Air Visits, Bergen New Bridge Cares offers urgent-care screening and assessment by a licensed physician of patients who have medical complaints and symptoms. Telehealth consultations with an infectious disease physician are available if necessary. Patients can access Bergen New Bridge Cares at 201-204-0712.

The COVID-19 screenings are based on the most current CDC Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI) guidelines. If further evaluation is necessary, a physician will evaluate each patient and coordinate additional care.

“With the rapidly evolving health crisis, we felt extending the reach of our services into the home was crucial in identifying patients and expediting care while also limiting community exposure,” said Deborah Visconi, president and CEO at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.

“It is our hope that by putting our experts at the fingertips of the community, people’s fears will be eased and they will be more willing to seek early evaluation and treatment,” Visconi added.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center said its Telehealth program is the only hospital such program in New Jersey with Telemedicine911 protocols. With these protocols, providers can remotely activate 911 for patients throughout the state, offering necessary protection for acutely ill patients in case of emergency. This added layer of medical control, the medical center said, allows telehealth providers to direct patient emergencies to the appropriate facilities that will have the resources needed to treat patients.