Valley Community Healthcare Launches Telehealth System

Valley Community Healthcare on Friday officially launched its telehealth system in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The North Hollywood clinic chose Colorado-based OTTO Health as its telehealth platform, which was paid for in part by a $13.4 million grant through Health Net and installed in only three weeks. OTTO will allow patients to interact with providers through a computer or smartphone for a “full range of services and diagnoses,” the health care organization said in a statement. The federal government has temporarily allowed providers to use public platforms such as FactTime and Skype, but having a platform like OTTO streamlines the process by connecting with existing electronic medical records and improving continuity of care on a virtual level, Valley Community said. “We serve a large number of patients who are continuing to work and also care for their families during this difficult time,” Paula Wilson, chief executive of Valley Community Healthcare, said in a statement. “Being able to provide them health care services even if they can’t come in is absolutely vital.”