Improving Patient Care

Doctors and patients were excited about seeing each other online through Skype video chat, but healthcare innovation like telemedicine was changing the landscape

Telehealth Introduction Telehealth is the use of technology for the exchange of health information in a two way communication from one location to another using a variety of tools or applications. Tools and applications such as smart phone devices, video conferencing, emails, and other wireless applications are used for the convenience and improvement of delivery of healthcare. It has the advantage of connecting healthcare personnel and primary care provider with patients and provides knowledge through the network system regarding patient care and monitoring (Katzman, 2013). Telehealth is a cost effective way for the Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP) to have the ability to reach a wider geographical area and broader populations.

The benefits of telehealth consultations are immeasurable; clients are able to access a knowledgeable health care professional and receive a telephone triage/assessment and recommendations. This allows the patient to have immediate access to good health advice and quicker solutions. Telemedicine is one of the many vehicles of telehealth; for example, the cardiologist orders an outpatient Holter Monitor trial to evaluate arrhythmias. The technician calls the patient at the sign of any abnormal rhythm and investigate the activity performed when the reading fluctuation then the reported is communicated to the cardiologist. If warranted, the cardiology staff will contact the patient with instructions schedule an immediate appointment. Telehealth services resources would benefit the client in this next example, an individual’s come in for a sick visit expecting a prescription to be written for their illness; they receive informative instructions because of the nature of the

“Telehealth changes the location of care by connecting patients and clinicians virtually, in place of the usual face-to-face contact.” (Darkins 2012).

Telehealth services refers to the exchange of health information and services through telecommunication services in order to support anyone, at any time, in any location. Telehealth systems allows doctors to be in one place and treat patients in rural or urban areas – such as their homes or any another providers premises. The technology behind such concept is particularly helpful for patients with trouble leaving the house, or that live in remote areas from specialists (Narisi, 2013)

Telehealth is the use of electronic information to support long distance clinical health care, patient education, and public health administration. Telehealth involves video conferences, internet, streaming media, and wireless communication to deliver health related services. It encompasses the preventative, promotive, and curative aspects of health care. This system exchanges health related data and other information between the patient and the health care professional to help with the diagnosis and management of conditions. It allows for conferencing between health care professionals and patients in “real time”, remote patient monitoring (such as the blood pressure monitor feeding results through the system), electronic consultation, transmission of medical data, health advice in emergency cases, and long distance patient education. Telehealth is great for monitoring a client in between doctor appointments in order to assess their progression. This benefits the clients because it reduces the need for hospitalizations and visits to the emergency room, while improving their quality of life.

That is amazing! Patients can ask questions while in their own comfort zone and be reassured of any concerns. The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) states that “Telehealth is a collection of means or methods for enhancing health care, public health, and health education delivery and support using telecommunications technologies.” Equipment and supplies which aid Telehealth digital technology to provide health services remotely are computers, internet service, telephones, smart phones, mobile devices, software and hardware.

The delivery of health care has always been influenced by technological developments and innovations. This is particularly true in modern health care professionals where they are obsessed with technology and rush to apply them. One of the most recent applications of ICT – Information and computer technology- is telehealth. Telehealth is the use of communication, diagnostic and information technology to provide health care when patients and providers are geographically separated [2], Technologies include videoconferencing, the internet, store -and-forward imaging, streaming media, terrestrial and wireless communications. Telehealth could be as simple as two health professionals discussing a case over the telephone or as

In the state of Texas, a physician-patient relationship must be established in all cases to provide telemedicine care. The reason for this is to ensure the patient is who they say they are, to discuss diagnosis/evidence/risks/benefits, ensure a follow up, and more importantly to diagnose the patient with a full medical history. Texas provides two options to establish a physician-patient relationship. The first option is an in-person evaluation where the patient and provider are in the same physical location. The second option is a face to face evaluation that is performed by a distant site provider at distant location in an established medical site. An established medical site is a with qualified patient presenter staff, quality technology

I agree with you. In order to improve quality care, it is important to evaluate outcomes, structure and process. The six aims from the IOM should be considered when planning quality care and that is done in process and structure. There are times when outcome are positive but the process or structure might be poor.

Telehealth is an innovative approach to health care that is rapidly expanding in all areas of patient care. It has been shown to be cost effective and is rapidly being integrated into everyday practices from clinics, hospitals, court systems, school systems and even the local drug store.

Yes, I agree with the article. We live in a country now that uses information to improve patient healthcare. One statement that pointed out to me was when he mention how “no matter which party controls Congress and the White House, pressure to control costs will continue”. Healthcare cost will continue to go up and will be hard to balance. Managing data electronically is supposed to help manage and decrease cost but it will continue to go up low out-of-pocket costs paid by consumers and by not knowing the full costs associated with health care. Another rise is prescription medication will continue to go up.

Quality improvement is a critical aspect to enhancing patient care. Healthcare, more specifically patient care, should be safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable (DeNisco & Barker, 2016). The organization that this nurse is employed currently utilizes three different charting systems. The organization currently utilizes two electronic information systems and a paper chart. The current charting system within this organization is inefficient to all healthcare providers for several reasons.

Access to mental health care for underprivileged patients is the primary benefit of Tele-psychiatry. Tele-psychiatry provides mental health care to rural or remote areas. Patients get easy access to their consultants without having to leave their homes. Scarcity of consultants in a specific area can be overcome by Tele-psychiatry. (1)The elderly, people with disabilities, inmates of a prison or a detention centre, homeless people and the military can access mental health care through videoconferencing. Stigma, shame and cultural issues are some of the reasons why people never seek treatment for mental health at later stages of their disease. Tele-psychiatry removes this barrier, allowing mental health care providers to connect with their patients. (2) Use of Tele-psychiatry reduces waiting times and travel expenses for the patient, the family and the care provider. Videoconferencing helps two or more consultants or health care providers to connect with the patient and/or his family. (3) A consultant can guide a physician in remote areas. According to research, Tele-psychiatry has been as effective as face-to-face interactions. Teaching and research is another important benefit of Tele-psychiatry. (4)

Some patients prefer a more personal or face-to-face relationship with their doctors in the traditional setting, with telemedicine there may not be a chance to bond with the doctor or personally meet them.