Saint Peter's Healthcare System creates virtual urgent care option

This week, Saint Peter's Healthcare System, based in New Brunswick, announced the launch of a virtual urgent care system for adult patients in New Jersey, according to an article from NJ Advance Media.

The new service will be called Saint Peter's Virtual Urgent Care and will allow individuals dealing with symptoms of a cold, flu, sinus problems, sore throat, pink eye and others to speak online with a primary care provider from Saint Peter's.

"By opting for virtual care, individuals can protect both themselves and others by minimizing physical contact and reducing the risk of infection transmission," said Alma Ratcliffe, vice president and chief clinical transformation officer for Saint Peter's Healthcare System, to NJ Advance Media.

Health care providers in the virtual sessions can also refer patients to any in-person appointment at any office within the system and send prescriptions digitally to pharmacies.

The service will be available seven days a week, on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.