Care Software suite was deployed to the patient ’ s home and connected via a regional 4G telecom . At the Center for Telehealth , our active multidisciplinary team works together to provide individual disease management plans for patients who would not otherwise have access to this type of care without telehealth .
Results : Study results of the first 100 patients enrolled in the Mississippi Diabetes Telehealth Network Project have shown a decrease in HbA1c of 1.7 %, 70 pounds weight loss , 9 cases of retinopathy and have saved patients nearly 10,000 miles in travel . The program is proving to reduce hospital admissions with zero hospitalizations among the active program participants .
Conclusion : Success of the Diabetes Telehealth Network has lead UMMC to ramp up programs for patients across multiple disease states . It is estimated that the state will save approximately $ 125 million each year with the use of remote patient monitoring . Together with our partner Care Innovations , we are offering this service to patients in Mississippi as well as those outside of the state . Our program continues to focus on decreasing health disparities ; managing chronic diseases ; reducing emergency room visits , hospital admissions and readmissions ; and improving health quality while reducing the overall cost of care .
11 . Telemedicine to Provide Expedient and Optimal care for the Wound Ostomy Patient
Mary Ellen Dziedzic , MSN , RN , CWOCN and Michael Cola , BSN , RN , CCRN
Geisinger Health System
Background : Geisinger Health System is an integrated organization recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record and the development of innovative models . It serves over 2.6 million residents in 44 counties in Pennsylvania . Physician led , the Geisinger system is comprised of more than 20,800 employees , a 1,000-member multi-specialty group practice , seven hospital campuses , two research centers and a 448,000-member health plan ( Geisinger Health System , 2016 ).
The size of this system has fostered the use of telemedicine in various disciplines including critical care and psychiatry . The care of patients has been enhanced so that they receive optimal care from the best specialists who are part of Geisinger . In the past year , Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton , PA , has grown tremendously and has experienced growing pains trying to keep up with expanding and a changing patient population . One service in need of support was that provided by the Wound Ostomy Nurse . Through research , it was noted that telemedicine can provide health care services across distances ( Sperring , 2013 ).
Methods : This was found to be one way to provide for wound assessment and the initiation of patient care protocols when the WOCN was not available or when there was a need to for a more experienced consultation . A multidisciplinary team was developed including performance improvement staff , project managers , CWOCNs and information system experts . Research was analyzed , products reviewed , and the process discussed .
Results and conclusions : The goal of this program is for the WOCN to analyze a wound that is a concern , provide basic assessment and initiate patient care protocols . This has not been without hurdles including hesitance from the WOCNs themselves . The group has persevered and the project continues . The goal is to provide this service across the continuum .
Reference : Sperring , B . ( 2013 ). Use of telehealth and photography for wound assessment in Western Australia . Wounds International ; 4 ( 4 ); p 26-82 .
12 . Enterprise Telehealth Strategy : If You Build It , They Will Come
Chris Gooditis 1 , William Jennings , MD 2 , Crystal Jenkins 1 , Amelia Bischoff 2
1 Blue Cirrus Consulting and 2 Palmetto Health
Background : Establishing a corporate initiative focusing on the development , implementation and support of telehealth services across a healthcare organization is the foundation of successful enterprise telehealth initiatives . Moving pilot telehealth projects from silos into an integrated organizational solution is complex . How the telehealth business is launched can have a long-term impact on how it is perceived , impacting the sustainability of the program . To achieve the program goal and objectives , Palmetto Health conducted an organizational readiness assessment and developed a sustainable telehealth business plan and strategy that is supported by executive leadership .
Methods : A readiness assessment was completed to identify the degree to which Palmetto Health was prepared and willing to participate and succeed in the implementation of a system-wide telehealth program . This was achieved using proven assessment methodologies , critical assessment factors and translating the findings into a SWOT analysis . The business plan and strategy were developed to provide the ability to predict and measure program sustainability at an enterprise level . Blue Cirrus , in partnership with Palmetto Health , utilized a 10 Step Telehealth Methodology to develop the plan and strategy .
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