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Providing telehealth via a single-point EHR integration sets limits around patients and providers that are easily avoidable with the use of a fully integrated virtual care solution. With a fully integrated virtual care solution that ties location care to virtual care, patients can receive a wider variety of virtual services that are comparable to the quality of care they can receive in person. These virtual care services also serve as very profitable revenue streams for hospitals and health systems, especially those in rural environments that have trouble recruiting physicians and providing specialty care services.
Here are three things to consider when deciding between a low-clinically integrated and a fully-clinically integrated telehealth platform:
A single-point EHR integration can only access the data from a handful of devices and a fraction of an individual’s medical records which sets limits around the quantity of services you can offer virtually. With a fully integrated telehealth platform that is preconnected to 4,000 different home health and wearables and every EHR database around the US, you can accommodate a wider variety of given patient needs by having access to a larger pool of patient-specific information.
The impact of inefficient workflows can be detrimental to healthcare professionals. However, with a fully integrated telehealth platform, doctors like Dr. Hitchcock can experience a transformation in their daily routines. By utilizing AI and transcription services, providers can significantly expedite billing and charting tasks. This efficiency allows them to expand their scope of practice and serve more patients without sacrificing the quality of care.
3. Disrupts continuity of care across the continuum of care. The lack of effective communication and coordination among different healthcare parties hinders the delivery of care to patients. For instance, according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, almost half of all referrals never get completed due to information gaps, misdirected referrals, and communication issues. Furthermore, recent data reveals that missed or delayed diagnoses have severe consequences on patient health (12 million diagnostic errors) and impose substantial financial burdens on the healthcare system ($631 million). However, leveraging a fully integrated telehealth platform that empowers patients to manage and share their comprehensive medical records with any healthcare provider of their choosing can significantly enhance the quality and continuity of patient care.
By carefully evaluating these factors and opting for a fully integrated virtual care solution, hospitals and health systems can unlock numerous benefits. They can expand their range of virtual services, optimize provider workflows, and ensure the delivery of continuous, high-quality care to patients. Additionally, the integration of virtual care services provides hospitals with profitable revenue streams, proving to be particularly advantageous for those in rural environments struggling with physician recruitment and specialty care provision. Embracing fully integrated telehealth is the key to propelling healthcare forward and delivering exceptional care to patients, regardless of their location or unique medical needs.