May 18, 2008
US Study on Home Healthcare Technology and Telehealth
A recent study by the Royal Philips Electronics called the Philips National Study on the Future of Technology and Telehealth in Home Care reveals that nearly one third of large agencies are currently using a telehealth system and that industry use of telehealth is expected to double over the next two years, principally as a means of managing patients with chronic disease. In addition, over 88 percent of agencies report that telehealth services led to an increase in quality outcomes, as evidenced by a reduction in unplanned hospitalizations and ER visits, and over 71 percent report an improvement in patient satisfaction.
The Philips study was designed to address questions that are most on the minds of agency leaders about the role of four major home care technologies: human resources and billing systems, point of care systems, electronic medical records, and telehealth systems. Given the importance of telehealth to the future of home care and hospice agencies, much of the study focused on the various types of telehealth systems being used, the components of these systems, what agency leaders liked and disliked about their systems and most importantly, what leaders felt were the most significant impact of these systems on various aspects of quality and financial outcomes. Among the findings were:
* 17.1 percent of agencies use some type of telehealth system. A much higher percentage of large agencies (32.0%) report that they provide telehealth services.
* 88.6 percent report that telehealth led to an increase in quality outcomes:
- 76.6 percent report a reduction in unplanned hospitalizations
- 77.2 percent report a reduction in emergency room visits
* 71.3 percent report that telehealth services improved patient satisfaction. No agency reported that it reduced patient satisfaction.
* 83.9 percent state that less than one in ten patients refused a home telehealth system.
* 79.2 percent of patients or family members were reluctant to have the telemonitoring system removed.
* 42.8 percent report that telehealth led to a reduction in cost. A similar number reported it as cost-neutral.
* 63.5 percent report that telehealth had no impact on clinical caseloads. As more agencies use telehealth and move up the learning curve, clinical productivity measures may increase :
- 49.7 percent report telehealth decreased on-site visits
- 45.2 percent report telehealth increased the number of referrals
* 56.9 percent report that their nurses were very receptive to having a telehealth service after one year as compared to 36.3 percent at the beginning of the program.
* 89.1 percent stated that given everything they know today, they would still have started their telehealth program.
To receive a copy of the full report, visit Phillips (registration is required)
Posted by rsk at May 18, 2008 11:43 PM