Frequently Asked Questions
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Global Expertise. Local Care.
South County Health is the first health system in Rhode Island to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Now patients can access global expertise through their South County Health provider, at no additional costs.
South County Health is the first health system in Rhode Island to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a select group of independent hospitals nationwide meeting Mayo Clinic's rigorous quality and safety measures.
Becoming a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network brings together the best of both worlds: the most trusted local care and the knowledge, expertise, and resources of the Mayo Clinic. South County Health healthcare professionals can consult Mayo Clinic expertise when they determine it would benefit a patient, at no additional cost to the patient. This can provide additional clinical input while supporting care close to home.
How does this benefit patients and caregivers?
Expert Second Opinions or Consultations
As part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, South County Health providers can consult directly with Mayo Clinic specialists on their patients' behalf whenever they feel it will benefit their care, including for second opinions and specialty consultations.
Transforming Care Locally
By expanding the tools and expertise available to our local clinicians, joining the Mayo Clinic Care Network enhances the already high-quality care in our community and provides additional support for complex cases and specialized needs. Most importantly, South County Health providers remain at the center of their patients' care, reducing the need for patients to leave Rhode Island and/or incur additional costs.
Access to Research and Millions of Unique Clinical Encounters
South County Health providers now have special access to Mayo Clinic expertise and clinical resources through the Mayo Clinic Platform, as well as the latest research, diagnostic and treatment recommendations from the Mayo Clinic, all of which can be used to develop personalized treatment plans, so patients can focus on getting well, close to home.
Investing In the Long-Term Health of Our Community
The benefits of being a Mayo Clinic Care Member extend well beyond second opinions or specialty consultations. Through ongoing access to Mayo Clinic's knowledge, education, and innovation, South County Health providers can continue enhancing the care they deliver while helping keep more patients close to home. That means a stronger local healthcare system today and greater access to the world's best healthcare for generations to come.
Resources and Tools
Physicians and Providers collaborate with Mayo Clinic through a growing list of resources, including:
Provides trusted, expert information to help healthcare professionals find the right answers when they need them. Created and used by Mayo Clinic physicians, all the information in AskMayoExpert is regularly reviewed and represents the latest in Mayo Clinic's medical expertise.
A library of materials that includes over 2,500 patient education print pieces within Ask Mayo Expert and a selection of patient education videos online.
An electronic consultation service that connects doctors and providers directly with Mayo Clinic specialists when they feel additional input will benefit their patient.
An informal telephone conversation, provider to provider, regarding the treatment of a hospitalized patient that requires semi-urgent to urgent intervention. This conversation can be used to assist in the diagnosis or management of care.
Live video conferences to promote educational and informal discussions on the management of complex cases with a Mayo Clinic multidisciplinary panel and other providers within the network.
A comprehensive program designed to share Mayo Clinic's experience and expertise and help us achieve desired levels of clinical, operational, and patient care excellence.
On-demand and accredited presentations, medical lectures, and fully narrated surgical procedures by Mayo Clinic doctors and scientists are available to South County Health providers to enhance provider education while exploring new trends and developments in the medical field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our clinical collaboration with Mayo Clinic?
South County Health was selected to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network by demonstrating a commitment to the highest quality, patient-centered care. Additionally, South County Health passed Mayo Clinic’s comprehensive evaluation process that included an in-depth review of our organization, clinical and business practices, and quality, safety, and service efforts.
Through our membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network, our doctors and providers will be able to consult directly with Mayo Clinic specialists on their patients’ behalf when additional input may benefit their care. With access to Mayo Clinic’s research, diagnostic, and treatment resources, our doctors and providers will be able to treat more of our patients close to home, at no additional cost to them, so they can avoid unnecessary travel for second opinions or specialty consultations.
No. Through this membership, Mayo Clinic’s expertise and knowledge is shared with South County Health doctors and providers at no additional cost to the patient.
South County Health patients have special access to Mayo Clinic’s world-leading knowledge and expertise to help their doctors and providers confirm or develop the best treatment plan for them. Patients gain additional peace of mind, conveniently and at no additional cost, while staying close to home.
Typically, South County Health doctors and providers will request the consult with Mayo Clinic if it will benefit their patient’s care. If patients are experiencing anxiety about their condition and would like a second opinion, they are advised to talk to their doctors or provider about requesting one. It can be done easily — at no additional cost — and without travel to another location. The doctor or provider and patient can then discuss the best treatment plan.
South County Health doctors and providers have access to Mayo Clinic’s research, diagnostic, and treatment resources so they can provide more patient care locally, reducing patients’ need to travel outside the region for care. There is no obligation for doctors and providers to refer patients to Mayo Clinic.
No. The interaction is between the medical professionals of South County Health and Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not see or contact the patient through these services.
Patient privacy is a priority. We have safeguards in place to protect patients' health information. Anything related to patient care that is shared with Mayo Clinic is sent through a secure electronic connection and remains confidential.
South County Health is one of a small group of independent health systems that are members of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Learn more here.