Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette announces the launch of a new telehealth program in Oregon and Southwest Washington, which allows patients from the privacy of their home to access high-quality, affordable healthcare services by phone and/or through a private and secure video conferencing platform that connects them with PPCW’s trusted providers.

PPCW is focusing our efforts to support the COVID-19 pandemic response by keeping patients out of emergency rooms and hospitals. We are proud to play a key role in flattening the curve and contributing to the greater public health mission to decrease the spread of the virus, decrease burden on hospital staff and avoid overwhelming the system.

“Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette is here with you — wherever you are. We are proud to use technology and innovation to reach people with the health care and information they need, when they need it. In these uncertain times, we’re committed to connecting patients to care — no matter what,” says Anne Udall, PPCW President & CEO.

Through telehealth, patients can access services without leaving their home or needing to to visit a health center. PPCW is committed to answering your questions, managing your prescriptions and helping you address your sexual and reproductive healthcare needs, remotely. The new program’s services include general consultations for care such as STI exposure, UTI symptoms, PrEP, PEP and other symptoms without clinical urgency; birth control and emergency contraception; gender-affirming hormone therapy; and general triage. Amid this pandemic, patients can rest assured that essential abortion care, family planning services and gender-affirming care will continue.

“We know that your sexual and reproductive health care can’t wait. As we weather this challenging time together, we don’t want you to worry about your birth control, learning your pregnancy options or accessing STI tests and cancer screenings,” Udall says. “PPCW is doing everything we can to make your life easier and get you the information and care you need in timely and personalized ways. Whether we provide services in person, online or by phone — we’re here with you.”

PPCW encourages everyone to follow the latest guidance from the Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce their risk of getting any respiratory virus or spreading one to others. This includes washing your hands often with soap and water, and practicing physical distancing to help flatten the curve and spread of COVID-19 in your community.

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 physical distancing are ways we can care for ourselves and each other. 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 connecting to PPCW through telemedicine, call 888-875-7820.

PPCW’s health centers offer a wide range of sexual and reproductive healthcare services, and more than 74,500 patients annually depend on PPCW for expert, affordable, compassionate health care. You can visit PPCW.org to find the health center nearest you.