Telehealth Use for Reducing Hospital Readmission Rates

Telehealth is a sophisticated type of technology that enables patients to monitor their own health. This particular technology may incorporate the internet, wireless communication, teleconferencing, streaming media and other unique methods to implement long distance healthcare and deliver health education. Using telehealth may even help to reduce hospital readmission rates. In short, telehealth services incorporate several actions, including diagnosis, treatment methods, monitoring of medical conditions and providing education to patients.

Patients who use telehealth services often have the ability to take their own vital signs using special monitoring devices. They may even complete health surveys provided by the telehealth agency. The results are electronically sent to a medical facility for a diagnosis. Since it increases the contact between patients and medical professionals, telehealth can serve as a form of preventative care. It also aids in monitoring chronic medical conditions.

Telehealth is an excellent way to avoid hospital readmission because it allows the patients to continue to receive medical attention while avoiding unnecessary trips to doctors` offices and other medical facilities. The use of this unique form of technology in the home provides patients with accurate readings of their vital signs, allowing medical professionals to effectively monitor a patient`s health. It doesn`t even matter if the patient lives thousands of miles away from the physician; technology closes the distance between patient and doctor and consistent monitoring may help to prevent return trips to hospitals.

When patients subscribe to telehealth services, they experience the benefits of receiving timely medical care without missing too many days of work. Families of elderly patients may experience peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones are remotely connected to medical professionals on a 24-hour basis.

Telehealth improves a patient`s quality of life and may reduce patient mortality rates. Patients may be more willing to comply with doctors` orders if they have the option of receiving remote healthcare. This type of service may even decrease the costs of long-term healthcare.

Patients in rural areas benefit from telehealth services as they can receive medical care despite living far away from medical facilities. Likewise, patients in underserved urban communities may also find telehealth services beneficial. In both cases, the need to travel to medical facilities is reduced. The reduction in travel saves time, money and effort on the part of the patient.

Telehealth services help patients to receive medical care in a relaxed, comfortable settinggtheir own homes. Having access to devices that monitor vital signs and electronically send results to a physician provides patients with a stress-free way of maintaining optimum health. Since some people experience anxiety when visiting the doctor, this type of service can encourage patients to better communicate with their physicians and follow prescribed medical advice.

Patients experience improvement in health outcomes and disease management when enrolled in telehealth programs. They receive timely medical care through remote monitoring, assessment, diagnosis and treatment. If patients are continuously monitored by medical professionals, they are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital. Problems associated with their disease or medical condition may be curtailed if physicians receive daily medical reports on each patient enrolled in telehealth programs.

As a result, patients spend less money on lengthy hospital stays and enjoy better health as they remain in their own homes. Patients become better educated about their own health and learn how to make healthier lifestyle choices. Enrolling in teleservices programs and incorporating other forms of treatments such as the use of Metatone may help to improve patient health and avoid readmission to the hospital. Hospital stays can be traumatic experiences for those who are elderly or chronically ill. By daily electronic monitoring of a patient`s medical condition, the stress of hospital visits may be significantly reduced.