Twitter
Facebook
Beginning today, beneficiaries who call Landstuhl Regional Medical Center won’t have to fumble through the phone book or memorize a series of phone numbers. LRMC has streamlined its patient appointment system through automation – just dial 486-LRMC.
The automated phone system provides one simple number for all health care needs. The system can be used for making clinical appointments, refilling prescriptions, obtaining information such as visiting hours for each patient ward, emergency room access and clinic operating hours.
It also allows users to reach health care services like the TRICARE Service Center, where they can obtain beneficiary information.
For any need not addressed in the menu of options, there is a general information desk that can route the call to the appropriate provider.
“The entire medical community is going to this system,” said Maj. Timothy J. Hoiden, LRMC chief of clinical operations. “This phone system is a wonderful tool used widely throughout the military and civilian sector for hospitals this size and has proven to be user friendly and much more efficient.
“There are multiple numbers throughout the European and Central Command Theater of Operations, which can make our hospital difficult to reach – especially with all of the phone number changes. This system eliminates any difficulties by making it much easier for beneficiaries to access the care they need.”
It operates in a fashion similar to a bank or credit card company’s phone system. A beneficiary will dial the phone number, make a selection from a short list of menu options and quickly find himself connected with the appropriate provider.
“If your call is not answered immediately, the system gives you an estimated waiting time,” said Major Hoiden. “The system factors in the average time it takes for staff to answer the phone as well as how long they take to wrap up a conversation. Believe me, it’s a high-speed system.”
Another system feature is that as clinic numbers change, the system can be updated with a simple change to the program data. The change will be seamless and invisible to the beneficiary, as the 486-LRMC never changes.
As with the installation of any new system, certain hiccups may occur. Feedback is both welcome and needed in order to improve the system and correct any minor problems. Patients can provide comments on feedback kiosks throughout the hospital, as well as through the Interactive Customer Evaluation icon on the LRMC public page at www.landstuhl.healthcare.hqusareur.army.mil/.
“I am excited to be involved in this new service,” said Major Hoiden. “It’s nice to implement a process that will increase access to health care.”
