Need Medical Care During COVID? Telehealth Might Be Your Solution
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers have expanded their service offerings to patients as a result of social-distancing guidelines in the form of telehealth. While telehealth is not a new concept, the United States has seen a 154% increase in telehealth visits during the last week of March 2020 compared to that same period in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth, also known as Telemedicine, is the use of 2-way communication technology for specific health care services, such as with video calls or over the phone. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services encourages health care providers to use telehealth as a way to safely provide care to patients. These services can include routine health care, wellness visits, medication consultation, dermatology, eye exams, nutrition counseling, and mental health counseling.
According to the CDC, Telehealth offers several benefits, including:
Patients who might have symptoms of COVID-19 can be remotely screened and referred as appropriate
Reduces costs for medical care
Safely allows patients to follow social distancing guidelines
Enables patients to talk with a doctor over the phone or video chat
Allows patients to send and receive messages from their doctor using email or messaging
Patients can be remotely monitored, such as monitoring clinical signs of some chronic medical conditions including high blood pressure and blood glucose
Saves time on travel
Eliminates or reduces wait time for services
Reduces the number of visits to a clinic
Improves access to care
Patients can participate in physical therapy
Patients can receive care for weight management and nutrition
Provide low-risk urgent care for non-COVID-19 conditions, identify those persons who may need additional medical consultation or assessment, and refer as appropriate
Access primary care providers and specialists, including mental and behavioral health, for chronic health conditions and medication management
Engage in case management for patients who have difficulty accessing care, including those in rural areas, seniors, and those with limited mobility
Provide non-emergent care to residents in long-term care facilities
Telehealth services with organizations such as StationMD enable patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities to meet with a doctor via video call or over the phone when a medical issue arises. Their secure video-conferencing system allows doctors to perform a thorough evaluation at any time and prescribe medications when necessary. Patients can receive treatment much more quickly than a traditional emergency room visit while staying in the comfort and safety of their home.
Social Distancing Solutions with Enabling Technology by SimplyHome
Telehealth has become invaluable to those needing medical attention during the pandemic. When social distancing is critical, there are additional enabling technology solutions that can aid individuals with following the safety guidelines and eliminating possible exposure. Our enabling technology solutions at SimplyHome support the interests, priorities, and strengths of the individual in order to promote that person’s quality of life and independence while keeping staff and family informed.
For example, the SimplyHome System Firefly can communicate with multiple sensors to observe activities of daily living, prompting the completion of daily routines and proactively alerting caregivers by text or email if assistance is needed. Additionally, the NucleusCare tablet allows for remote caregiver check-ins and provides a tool for individuals to stay connected to their loved ones.
Enabling technology solutions empower individuals while keeping the individual safe. One example is a stove sensor notifying the individual through a local speaker in their home if the stove is left on and there is no movement detected in the kitchen. These technologies promote independence and respect privacy by passively monitoring activity from various sensors throughout the home. Smart home technology can also be integrated with enabling technology in the home to support individuals with limited mobility to independently control their environment (such as adjusting their thermostat with a customized tablet that contains large picture icons). Enabling technology is customizable and proactive in keeping you or your loved one safe and connected.
See our complete list of solutions here.
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