Piedmont highlights digital tools designed to simplify patient care

Sarah Ferguson discusses MyChart features, online scheduling, text reminders and tools that make accessing care easier.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –Piedmont is encouraging patients to take advantage of its digital tools designed to make managing health care more convenient.

Sarah Ferguson, Vice President of Digital Patient Experience for Piedmont, discussed features available through the Piedmont MyChart patient portal and the organization’s redesigned website.

According to Ferguson, the MyChart patient portal allows users to schedule appointments, check in before appointments, communicate with their care team and follow up after visits. She said patients do not need a smartphone to access the portal.

For people experiencing symptoms of illnesses such as a cold, the flu or COVID-19, Ferguson said Piedmont recently introduced a new MyChart feature called Symptom Checker.

The tool, which launched a few months ago, asks users a series of questions about their symptoms and helps guide them to the appropriate level of care. Ferguson said the process takes about five minutes to complete.

Ferguson also discussed Piedmont’s redesigned website, Piedmont.org, which includes a single sign-on feature that launched in December.

The feature allows patients to access their MyChart account directly through the Piedmont website. Ferguson said people who are not already Piedmont patients can also use the website to find a provider.

According to Ferguson, users can answer questions about their health care needs, search for a provider who best fits those needs, select an available appointment time and schedule an appointment online.

Ferguson also encouraged patients to opt in for Piedmont’s text message reminders, which provide appointment notifications and updates.