For all our advancements in medical technology—developed cures, cutting-edge medical equipment, and the adoption of new and groundbreaking treatments—one area that the American healthcare system needs to improve upon is the way in which care is delivered. All across the country, wait times at hospitals and medical facilities continue to rise, doctor and nurse shortages erode the quality of care provided, and huge stretches of rural America exist in medical deserts—underserved by hospitals that could be upwards of an hour or more away. What is the sense of advancing medical technology, if we do not develop the necessary strategies to extend its reach?
Telehealth and mobile healthcare have started to harness the power of digital technologies in order to make healthcare more efficient, convenient, and—most importantly—more available. By bringing the same level of care possible in the hospital setting outside of hospital walls and into the community, these mobile and virtual services can close many of the gaps in our healthcare system. Many patients who suffer from chronic illnesses and/or are receiving end-of-life care are often subjected to countless hours being transported between the hospital and home, having to suffer the inconvenience of being readmitted and discharged again and again, all to receive care that otherwise could have been provided from the comfort of their homes. This cycle of rehospitalization can be broken with the help of these services and give those suffering the means to access the same level of treatment in a comfortable and convenient setting.
This strategy is not a new one, as home health agencies for decades have provided care directly to patients’ homes. Over the years, however, these agencies have been expected to raise the level of their care and expand the resources and services available, while also keeping up with increasing caseloads of individuals underserved by their local hospitals. For home health agencies to meet these demands placed on them, they need to be properly supported by the latest in digital and medical technologies. This has been accomplished in a variety of ways; giving patients access to schedule virtual appointments, allowing doctors and nurses to monitor patient vitals remotely, and giving online pharmacies the ability to deliver prescribed medications directly to patients’ doors. These digital technologies were designed to make the healthcare process more efficient and streamlined and empower mobile clinicians to treat more patients, while remaining integral to the delivery of face-to-face quality care outside of hospital walls.
Prioritizing the further implementation of mobile healthcare and telehealth services is not only about operational efficiency, however. Data points to an overwhelming correlation between the delivery of convenient and comprehensive care outside of the hospital setting and greater patient compliance with treatment plans. By making these services accessible in their own home, patients are more at ease and more inclined to keep important appointments and adhere to prescribed medications. This leads to the patient experiencing higher levels of personal engagement with their health and results in better physical and mental health scores amongst those who are able to receive high-acuity home care. Healthier and happier patients then become patients with a decreased likelihood of rehospitalization, which then relieves some of the pressure on our current hospital and medical facilities, which then improves the quality of care throughout the healthcare complex.
Telehealth and mobile healthcare services are not for every patient. Some patients will always require the level of care and supervision that only a hospital setting can truly provide. However, by offering high-acuity in-home care to the many who either have limited access to hospital services or do not require constant and immediate care, the entire healthcare system at every level benefits. Those who desperately need hospital care will find wait times more manageable, doctors and nurses more present and available, and the overall quality of their care improved. Those who would prefer to receive care in the comfort of their home can be treated without the inconvenience of spending their days in hospital beds and waiting rooms, receive treatment and be prescribed medications directly to their home, and enjoy not only higher qualities of care, but also higher qualities of life. As more health agencies and hospitals continue to cultivate telehealth and mobile healthcare, the reach of these services will expand further into their surrounding communities and into the homes of those who need them most.
Jackleen Samuel is the President and CEO of Resilient Healthcare, an innovative healthcare delivery system that expands hospital care beyond hospital walls and into the community. Jackleen Samuel has ten years of experience in the industry driving growth and innovation for healthcare organizations and under her leadership, Resilient Healthcare has become the industry standard for health-tech, delivering exceptional hospital at home services, while simultaneously improving operational efficiency and profitability. Visit ResilientHC.com