Planned Parenthood Launches New Telehealth Service that Connects Patients to Care Through a Private & Secure Video Conferencing Platform
For Immediate Release: April 10, 2020 (Updated: April 10, 2020, 10:39 a.m.)
Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley has served more than 1,000 patients via Telehealth since launching on March 19, 2020, further proving that reproductive health care is essential health care
Baldwin Park, Calif. — Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV) has expanded health care access amidst the coronavirus crisis, by successfully launching telehealth services. Telehealth allows patients to access high-quality, affordable health care from a trusted Planned Parenthood medical provider via a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. PPPSGV joins other Planned Parenthood affiliates in providing telehealth services, and was the first California affiliate to connect patients to care through video conferencing during the coronavirus crisis. So far, more than 1,000 patients have been served via telehealth.
“We know that our patients’ sexual and reproductive health care can’t wait. As we weather this challenging time together, we don’t want the communities we serve to worry about their birth control, learning pregnancy options, or accessing Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) tests and cancer screenings,” said Sheri Bonner, President & CEO of PPPSGV. “We are doing everything we can to bring services directly to our patients and provide them with the information and care they need in a timely and personalized way. We're committed to connecting patients to care — no matter what.”
Patients can access many Planned Parenthood services from the comfort and safety of their homes through telehealth, including talking to a Planned Parenthood provider through Zoom video conferencing. PPPSGV is committed to answering questions, managing prescriptions, and addressing sexual and reproductive health care needs, remotely. Birth control prescriptions, TransCare appointments, UTI evaluation, Emergency Contraception, and electronically prescribed treatments are currently available through telehealth.
Telehealth is helping meet the needs of patients as PPPSGV is currently only accepting urgent in-person visits, which include STI treatment and abortion services at health centers, to keep patients and staff safe. PPPSGV has resumed STI testing at two health centers. Patients can once again receive express testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV from the Baldwin Park and Pasadena health centers.
Planned Parenthood encourages everyone to follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local public health officials to reduce the risk of getting any respiratory virus or spreading one to others. This includes washing your hands often with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and practicing social distancing.
The safety and health of patients, our staff, and our broader communities remains our highest priority as our country faces an unprecedented public health crisis. Self-isolation and social distancing are ways we can care for ourselves and each other. PPPSGV is also following public health guidance and is asking all patients to wear masks or cloth face coverings when they have appointments in our health centers. Our health is connected, and we can all do our part and take care of ourselves, our health, and our community.
For more information about telehealth or to make an appointment, visit PPPSGV.org.
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About Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley
Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley has been serving Northeast Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley since we were founded in 1933, 86 years ago. Our mission is to provide broad public access to sexual and reproductive care through: (1) convenient, affordable, and culturally fluent medical services; (2) sex and relationship education for young people, teachers, parents, and the general public; and (3) local, state, and federal advocacy efforts that support these services. Last year, our four health centers in Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Alhambra, and Glendora provided nearly 155,000 birth control services. In 2020, we expanded our services to the Baldwin Park community.
Our service area extends from Glendora to Glendale, and from the San Gabriel Mountains to the San Bernardino freeway, home to 24 communities and a diverse population of 1.4 million people.