telehealth equipments

telehealth equipment

Telemedicine is the practice of using telecommunications technology to enhance on-site care and provide clinical care remotely. It comes in a variety of forms, and each type utilizes different telemedicine equipment. Real-time telemedicine is perhaps the best-known form of telemedicine. It involves live consultations between physicians and patients facilitated by video or teleconferencing. Store-and-forward telemedicine allows physicians and patients to communicate asynchronously by exchanging medical information through secure messaging platforms. Physicians who want to monitor or check on patients without an in-person visit can use remote patient monitoring with telemedicine equipment to record and transmit patient data. Healthcare providers can also use telemedicine equipment onsite; many hospitals now use telemedicine carts that are mobile workstations equipped with software and hardware to record and transmit patient information. Telemedicine equipment can play a vital role in providing accessible, quality care to patients, and streamlining operations at healthcare facilities. What Type of Telemedicine Equipment is Right for You? Choosing telemedicine equipment for your practice comes down to the needs you want to manage. In many cases, telemedicine equipment can work together to serve multiple functions. Remote patient monitoring Remote patient monitoring (RPM) relies heavily on telemedicine devices, including wearable EKG/ECG, blood pressure and blood glucose monitors; biosensors; digital medical scopes and accessories, and even wearable activity trackers including FitBits and smartwatches. Also available are full home care kits, which include several different types of telemedicine equipment. A standard home care kit usually includes a pulse oximeter, digital stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, glucometer, otoscope, and EKG monitor. All of these telemedicine devices are used to monitor, record, and transmit data about a patient’s vitals and condition directly to physicians, nurses, or other healthcare providers. Data is transmitted via the internet or Bluetooth technology. This process enables healthcare providers to monitor patients without requiring in-person appointments, particularly those who have chronic conditions or are recovering from operations or illness. Most RPM devices automatically record and transmit the data they collect, making them easy for patients to use. Healthcare providers monitoring patients with telemedicine equipment can be more proactive in addressing concerns as soon as they see them, rather than waiting for patients to come in for scheduled appointments. Virtual consultations Virtual consultations, which include real-time telemedicine and store-and-forward telemedicine, are largely dependent on software that securely facilitates the communication between patients and healthcare providers. However, there are a few specific pieces of equipment that providers and patients need to successfully implement these kinds of telemedicine. An internet-connected device, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet, is essential, as is internet access, so a reliable modem and router are required too. Patients and providers also need a good webcam to conduct video consultations, whether it is integrated with the device or purchased separately. A camera is also needed for store-and-forward telemedicine, as this practice relies more on photos of a patient’s area of concern. A scanner is helpful for store-and-forward telemedicine, so patients and providers can upload and send X-rays, MRIs, and pertinent documents. Although it may not seem high-tech, visual aids such as pain scales, portion size guides, and visual care instructions can be useful in a real-time telemedicine setting as well. Physicians can use these aids much as they would during an in-person consultation to help assess and educate patients. Real-time telemedicine and store-and-forward telemedicine are best suited for consultations, basic visual exams, follow-up care, dermatology, radiology, pathology, and therapy or counseling. On-site telemedicine equipment Telemedicine equipment can help healthcare providers even when patients are physically present, whether they are in a hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, or in a non-clinical location. For hospitals, telemedicine carts are mobile workstations that provide staff with all of the equipment they need to provide care, record and transmit patients’ medical data, and consult with other physicians virtually. Telemedicine carts usually come equipped with computers, monitors, keyboards, cameras, and mobile medical devices, like digital scopes and wearable monitors. Hospitals are also increasingly using technology like interactive patient engagement systems to improve patient education and streamline workflows. This practice involves putting interactive equipment like TVs and tablets in patients’ rooms, using specially designed software to teach patients about their conditions and aftercare procedures, and providing ways for patients to request assistance with non-clinical needs. For physicians and providers who see patients in a non-clinical setting, like the patient’s home, there are telemedicine kits. These pared-down versions of a telemedicine cart are essentially a modern version of a doctor’s bag, and typically include a laptop or tablet, a digital all-in-one scope, a digital stethoscope, a portable ultrasound device, a pulse oximeter, and EKG and blood pressure monitors.