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Feb 6, 2025·EurekAlert

Telehealth is facing challenges in billing practices, particularly in how it compensates medical expertise, according to Dong-Gil Ko from the University of Cincinnati. He criticizes the current time-based billing model for undervaluing skilled doctors who may provide efficient and accurate care compared to less experienced colleagues. Ko's research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, seeks to create a more equitable billing system that factors in both time and clinical expertise. Collaborating with UC Health professionals, he is developing a framework utilizing artificial intelligence and electronic health records that recognizes the worth of a physician’s knowledge. The existing Ohio billing code introduced in 2023 creates inequities by rewarding time spent rather than the quality of care provided.

Jan 29, 2025·tampa.gov

The City of Tampa has introduced the OnMed CareStation, a portable healthcare clinic, to enhance medical access for its homeless population in partnership with local organizations. Funded by Tampa General Hospital and The McNamara Foundation, this initiative allows individuals at Tampa Hope, the first US homeless shelter to feature such technology, to have real-time consultations with licensed clinicians via audio and video. This solution addresses transportation barriers and integrates healthcare with essential services for residents, while also aiming to serve as a model for similar programs in other cities.

Jan 26, 2025·Healthcare Business Today

The healthcare sector is rapidly evolving towards remote solutions, spurred by digital advancements, pandemic-related demands, and patient preferences for telehealth. The telehealth market is anticipated to expand from $161 billion in 2024 to nearly $800 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 22%. Alongside telehealth, essential operations such as IT and call centers are transitioning offsite, requiring adaptable IT systems to manage data effectively. Amidst these changes, healthcare organizations are grappling with technical debt from hastily implemented technologies during the pandemic, prompting a shift toward scalable, cloud-based solutions to enhance operational efficiency and patient care. This transition also underscores the urgency of addressing cybersecurity threats, as the rise in remote access has heightened the risk of data breaches, with many organizations facing ransomware attacks and increasingly adopting the zero trust security model to protect sensitive patient information.

Jan 21, 2025·Healthcare IT News

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has proposed a new framework to allow the telehealth prescription of controlled substances without in-person visits, in line with existing regulations. This initiative follows the extension of temporary virtual prescribing rules into 2025, aimed at improving patient access while preventing substance misuse. The DEA's proposal includes three types of special registrations for prescribers and telemedicine platforms, designed to enhance oversight and ensure proper vetting. However, industry stakeholders, including the American Telemedicine Association, have raised concerns about operational challenges and proposed restrictions on the volume of Schedule II prescriptions that can be issued via telemedicine.

Jan 16, 2025·Healthcare IT News

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis has successfully implemented a telemedicine program to address the shortage of behavioral health providers in Missouri, where only 200 out of 1,000 licensed psychiatrists are available for a population of 6 million. Partnering with Iris Telehealth, the hospital started with one full-time psychiatrist to adapt processes for pediatric patients while ensuring telepsychiatrists were licensed across multiple states. This integration into the existing Epic EHR system improved communication and care continuity. The program has significantly increased psychiatric activity volume, enhancing patient access, with new patient appointments scheduled within 14 days rising from 14% to over 60%.

Jan 15, 2025·Becker's Hospital Review

Nursing leaders at Providence and Trinity Health are re-evaluating the relevance of traditional nurse-to-patient ratios in light of advancing virtual nursing services. Research indicates that these virtual models can enhance communication and quality of care without adhering to conventional ratios. Cynthia Salisbury from Providence argues that focusing on ratios may stifle innovation, as healthcare confronts challenges like higher acuity cases and nursing shortages. Trinity Health's TogetherTeam program illustrates this shift, implementing a hybrid staffing approach that combines in-person and virtual roles to better meet patient needs.

Jan 13, 2025·Home Healthcare News

The hospital-at-home (HaH) model is reshaping healthcare delivery by enabling patients to receive acute care at home, leading to improved patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. However, transitioning from traditional practices to this model presents challenges in change management and integration into existing systems, as highlighted by Dr. Stephen Dorner of Mass General Brigham. The approach aims to address healthcare fragmentation through technological innovations like remote monitoring and AI, which can enhance home-based care and reduce hospital readmissions. Nonetheless, the existing healthcare infrastructure poses difficulties in adopting these new technologies effectively.

Jan 6, 2025·Becker's Hospital Review

Winter Storm Blair has caused significant disruption to health systems in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, leading to many clinic closures and the postponement of elective procedures. Beginning January 5, the storm impacted regions from Kansas to New Jersey, with severe snowfall, particularly in Kansas City where over 11 inches fell. States including Arkansas, Kansas, and Maryland declared states of emergency in response to the storm, which also left more than 318,000 people without power. Health facilities like Beebe Healthcare in Delaware adapted by closing physical locations while still providing virtual consultations and maintaining emergency services.

Jan 5, 2025·Forbes

The U.S. healthcare sector is experiencing significant changes due to technological innovations, policy reforms, and a growing focus on patient-centered care. Telehealth services, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, have enhanced access to care for chronic conditions through remote consultations and monitoring. Meanwhile, the shift from a fee-for-service model to value-based care (VBC) is being championed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, aiming to link clinician compensation to patient outcomes by 2030. Additionally, the integration of behavioral health into primary care is on the rise, driven by increasing demand for mental health services and the adoption of digital health platforms.

Jan 5, 2025·Healthcare IT News

AvaSure's recent "Virtual Care Insight Survey" reveals that while only 10% of hospital leaders have fully integrated virtual nursing into their operations, 74% believe it will be essential in acute care in the future, up from 66% last year. The study, which surveyed over 1,000 healthcare professionals, highlights challenges such as a nursing shortage and financial constraints that hinder broader adoption. Despite these obstacles, hospitals are beginning to implement virtual nursing initiatives, often starting with virtual sitting to improve patient safety through remote monitoring.

Dec 29, 2024·Healthcare IT News

Henry Ford Health recently organized a two-day summit titled "Advancing Health Equity: Bridging the Telehealth Divide" to address disparities in telehealth access. Held at Henry Ford Innovations and Focus:HOPE in Detroit, the event convened healthcare providers, community organizations, researchers, and city officials to discuss collaborative strategies for enhancing digital health equity. Prompted by the Telehealth Equity Catalyst award, discussions highlighted the necessity of incorporating perspectives from individuals with lived experiences and identified advocacy, access, technical support, digital skills, and device availability as critical barriers to overcome. The summit also featured local initiatives aimed at improving access to technology and internet services for underserved populations.

Dec 20, 2024·LinkedIn

Houston Methodist has advanced healthcare innovation in 2024 by enhancing patient care and operational efficiency through technology. Notable achievements include expanding the TeleNursing Program and implementing remote vital signs monitoring across 2,000 beds, which allows nurses to provide more direct care. The integration of ambient intelligence in operating rooms has increased capacity by 15%, particularly for cardiovascular surgeries. Additionally, the use of AI for big data analytics has helped identify high-risk patients, while voice-enabled AI has cut clinician documentation time by nearly 50%. As the organization looks to 2025, it plans to focus on evolving its care services, optimizing documentation processes, and leveraging AI for predictive analytics.

Dec 18, 2024·American Telemedicine Association

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and ATA Action have endorsed a draft Continuing Resolution (CR) that proposes substantial extensions for telehealth services, pending congressional approval. Key elements of the legislation include a two-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities and first-dollar coverage for high-deductible health plans, along with a five-year extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home program. Additionally, the draft allows for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services to be delivered via telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries in 2025 and 2026, marking significant advancements in virtual healthcare accessibility.

Dec 17, 2024·Healthcare IT News

Henry Ford Health recently held a two-day summit titled "Advancing Health Equity: Bridging the Telehealth Divide," aimed at addressing disparities in healthcare access related to telehealth. Hosted in Detroit and focused on digital health equity, the event gathered community organizations, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to discuss barriers and opportunities in this area. The summit, inspired by a Telehealth Equity Catalyst award, sought to promote collaboration and generate actionable solutions, with an emphasis on including individuals with lived experiences in the conversation to foster a more inclusive dialogue. Participants engaged in sessions assessing various aspects of digital equity, recognizing the necessity for greater awareness and support as healthcare continues to evolve.

Dec 16, 2024·HealthTech Magazine

Healthcare organizations are increasingly adopting digital collaboration tools to improve patient care and team communication, as demonstrated by Moffitt Cancer Center, which implemented Zoom for telemedicine following a successful pilot in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic drastically shifted telemedicine visits from 15% to nearly 87% in just two years. Moffitt created a secure telehealth system that integrates Zoom with its electronic health records, enabling efficient remote post-operative care and enhancing patient access to advanced cancer treatment. Similarly, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center utilizes advanced audiovisual technology and platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams to foster collaboration in its facilities.

Dec 5, 2024·LinkedIn

In this article, two nursing professionals share their experiences working in different capacities at Houston Methodist Hospital, highlighting the impact of TeleNursing on patient care and nurse collaboration. Jessyca Gammel, a bedside nurse focused on direct patient interactions in a neurology specialty, appreciates the support from TeleNurses that eases her workload. In contrast, Pauline Avila, a tele-nurse with extensive experience, utilizes audio-visual technology to enhance patient communication and streamline documentation. Both nurses have shifted from initial skepticism to recognition of the TeleNursing program's benefits in improving workflow and patient engagement.

Nov 13, 2024·Healthcare IT News

Children's Mercy Kansas City has established an advanced telemedicine program led by Morgan L. Waller, RN, which leverages Teladoc technology to improve access to specialized care. Pre-existing before the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has conducted nearly 55,000 telemedicine visits in fiscal year 2024, representing 16% of all outpatient visits across 36 pediatric specialties. Enhanced by direct-to-patient home technology and integration with electronic health records, the program has achieved high satisfaction among users and allows local facilities to access pediatric expertise remotely. Additionally, the program's virtual nursing model addresses care delivery challenges and staffing shortages by integrating telemedicine technology into inpatient settings.

Nov 12, 2024·Healthcare IT News

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) is calling on Congress to extend telehealth flexibilities before the end of 2024, highlighting their importance for maintaining access to virtual care for Medicare and private insurance patients. ATA's senior vice president, Kyle Zebley, stressed the need for urgent legislative action to avoid disruptions in care as the healthcare environment transitions with the upcoming administration. The ATA has previously engaged with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to secure permanent telehealth allowances, warning that reverting to previous regulations would significantly hinder patient access to needed services.

Nov 11, 2024·HealthLeaders

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will not extend several key telehealth waivers that were implemented during the pandemic, which may restrict virtual care accessibility, particularly for older Americans in various regions. While most waivers will expire, CMS has extended the waiver allowing providers to bill Medicare for telehealth services conducted from home, a change advocated for by over 100 organizations seeking its permanence to enhance patient access. Additionally, CMS plans to include new services in the Medicare Telehealth Services List, such as caregiver training and PrEP counseling, and permit telehealth via two-way, real-time audio.

Nov 7, 2024·Healthcare IT News

MedStar Health has expanded its acute care at home program to Baltimore, targeting patients from its Franklin Square Medical Center and other local hospitals. This partnership with Dispatch Health allows for daily home visits within 72 hours post-discharge, facilitating a smoother transition for patients. The service, which has already proven effective in Washington, D.C., covers a range of acute conditions and includes treatments like IV administration and lab services. This expansion is part of a larger trend in healthcare following the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the increasing role of telemedicine and at-home care.