Embrace the New Healthcare Normal with Integrated Telehealth Solution

Overview

COVID-19 shook the US healthcare industry despite being hailed as one of the most technologically advanced countries of 2020. The surge of COVID-19 patients overwhelmed the hospitals while healthcare providers

 are putting their own lives at risk of infection with the lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs). Because of this, the integrated telehealth solution paves the way to new healthcare normal.

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth refers to the utilization of modern digital technologies for healthcare. It enables healthcare providers to provide patient care services remotely. These technologies refer to digital communication and care collaborations of healthcare providers, patient consultations, and patient follow-ups. It makes patient care safe for attending nurses, physicians, and clinical staff, especially in the time of COVID-19. The goals of telehealth are:

• To make healthcare accessible to everyone, especially those who are living in rural or isolated areas.
• Make healthcare services convenient and available to people with limitations in mobility, time, and transportation.
• Give easy access to medical specialists.
• Improve care collaboration and communication among physicians and a patient.
• Provide support and improve self-management of a patient.

Benefits of Telehealth

• Reduces the Risk of Infection

  Telehealth protects not only the patients but also the nurses, doctors, medical staff, and healthcare providers. It has become a necessary healthcare tool to provide safety while giving quality care. Most patients would no longer need to go out to get a doctor’s consultation. Doctors and nurses can monitor patients’ conditions
  and vital signs remotely.

• Supports Healthcare Specialists

  Telehealth supports medical specialists such as radiologists, cardiologists, and psychiatrists. It provides efficiency and convenience via digital technology while working remotely. Radiologists can do their readings at home or at a safe distance. Cardiologists can now conduct virtual home visits using their phones or tablets. Virtual rehab exercises and nurse-aided consultations are now possible. Mental health check-ups are now accessible because of Integrated Telehealth Solution too. Psychiatrists can conveniently have online therapies that are significantly helpful, especially for COVID-19 high-risk patients.

• Increases Healthcare Accessibility

  Telehealth is increasing healthcare accessibility for those who need it the most, such as senior citizens in care facilities, isolated individuals, and marginalized populations. It is boosting patient care convenience through the use of technology. Patients will no longer risk getting infected with COVID-19 from commuting or driving to the doctor’s clinic for consultation. They can schedule their appointments online and have their virtual consultations using a smartphone or computer. Patient’s satisfaction will undoubtedly increase.

Telehealth Services

Here are some telehealth services that are beneficial to healthcare providers and their patients:

1. Patient Portal

   The patient portal provides a more secure communication tool for medical information compared to e-mail. It allows patients to do the following securely:

   • Communicate with healthcare providers
   • Send requests for prescription refills
   • View test results and notes of previous consultations
   • Schedule appointments
   • Reminders for appointments

2. Virtual Consultation

   Clinics are now providing online booking appointments and virtual consultations via video conferencing. These appointments are now essential in the post-COVID-19 era, especially when there is still no vaccine, specific treatment, or medication. Patients can use their mobile devices, laptop, or computer to talk with their healthcare providers. Attending physicians can virtually prescribe medications, home care remedies, and recommend any additional medical tests for diagnosis if necessary.

3. Remote Health Monitoring

   Healthcare providers, doctors, and nurses can monitor their patient’s health remotely via automatic mobile or web-based information transmission of wearable devices. An example of this is blood pressure, blood glucose, or the lung function of a patient. Home monitoring for older people or people with dementia is also available. Doctors and nurses can monitor the medications being taken by the patient too.

4. Doctor Collaboration

   Doctors can utilize technology in joint patient care. Having a centralized communication for patient care can help improve the treatment of the patient. Healthcare providers can share consultation notes, history, test results for other specialists to review.

5. Electronic Medical Record

   Electronic medical records or EMR improves overall patient care and patient outcomes through a secure, organized, and centralized database for patient records. It is convenient for healthcare providers since it is accessible through mobile devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops.

6. Personalized or Customized Health Apps

   There are already many health apps that help patients organize their medical information in a secure place. It also helps by:

   • Storing necessary personal health information in case of emergencies
   • Recording physical activities
   • Reminders for appointments and intake of medicine
   • Tracking of calorie intake
   • Recording of vital signs

Bottomline

Get your integrated telehealth solution here at 1st Providers Choice. Call 480-782-1116 today to speak with one of our telehealth experts and get started!