You've probably heard the phrase "digital front door." It sounds like marketing, but the idea behind it is simple and genuinely useful: it's the set of digital tools that connect a patient to care before they physically arrive — and that keep them informed throughout.
The old front door vs. the digital one
Traditionally, a patient's first interaction with a health system was a phone call or a walk-up to a front desk. A digital front door moves that first touchpoint online: scheduling, screening, notifications, and virtual visits all happen through connected software, often before anyone sets foot in a building.
What it actually does
A well-designed digital front door platform typically handles things like:
- Delivering critical notifications and health information to patients.
- Contactless screening questionnaires that route patients appropriately.
- Keeping frontline workers and care teams informed and coordinated.
- Supporting virtual visits so patients can connect with a provider remotely.
Where telemedicine carts fit in
A digital front door is software, but it needs hardware on the clinical side to be useful. That's where telemedicine carts come in. Our carts integrate AndorNow®, the platform from our technology partner Andor Health, so the same system that greets a patient online also powers the live consultation on the clinical end — one connected experience from first contact to care.
Why it matters
For patients, a digital front door means less friction and clearer communication. For providers, it means better-prepared visits, smoother screening, and the ability to reach people who might otherwise go without care. And during periods of heightened health risk, contactless screening can help mitigate the spread of illness in a facility.
The digital front door isn't about replacing in-person care — it's about extending it, making the first mile of the patient journey easier for everyone. If you're building or expanding a telehealth program, talk to our team about the carts and technology that make it work.