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Telehealth is the remote delivery or monitoring
between a health care provider and a patient outside
of the clinical setting, usually in the patient’s
home. It helps providers deliver the right
care to every patient, every time.
Phone monitoring
is the most basic type of Telehealth in which
patient encounters occur via the telephone. Phone
monitoring does not use electronic processing
technologies; however, the use of phone monitoring
can assist clinicians in:
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Identifying early exacerbation of the patient’s
condition
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Reduce unscheduled nursing visits, decrease ED
visits and acute hospitalizations
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Increase patient/caregiver satisfaction with
care
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Ease the transition of patient to self-care
Patients selected for phone monitoring can be a very
select group of patients that have a common
condition, or they can be part of a broad group such
as patients that are at risk for hospitalization. A
successful phone monitoring program requires that
patients have a clear understanding of the
responsibility of self monitoring. The patient must
exhibit the ability and willingness to self-monitor
and be able to hear, answer and talk clearly on the
phone. Patient education is essential since the
patient and caregiver’s understanding and acceptance
of phone monitoring is crucial to its success.
The use of phone monitoring will provide patients
with health care options that will empower them
to manage their disease process which could result in a
reduction of unnecessary hospitalizations. In
addition, incorporating phone monitoring into your
health care delivery options will provide cutting
edge opportunities that will distinguish your agency
to referral sources in the community.
To learn more about phone monitoring or other
Telehealth opportunities visit MedQIC at
www.medqic.org. |
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