Case Management
QUESTION
Case Management. Discuss how telehealth technology is influencing the practice of home health nurses and transforming home health agency operations.
Please remember to include the DOI in the reference
ANSWER
The use of telehealth technology has fundamentally changed how home health nurses practice their profession and how home health agencies operate. Due to the remote delivery of healthcare services made possible by this technology, home health nurses can treat patients in their homes without having to make in-person visits. Advances in communication technology, such as video conferencing, remote monitoring tools, and mobile health applications, have expedited the implementation of telehealth. The varied effects of telehealth technology on home health nursing practice and agency operations will be covered in this talk.
First off, telehealth technology has made it easier for people receiving home health care to access treatment. Due to geographic distances and a lack of available transportation, many patients, especially those in rural or isolated places, have difficulty receiving healthcare. Telehealth enables home health nurses to assess and monitor patients from a distance, minimizing the need for travel and expanding access to healthcare services. Patients can obtain prompt interventions and counseling, which improves patient satisfaction and results in better health outcomes.
The efficiency of home health agency operations has also increased because to telehealth technologies. Traditionally, routine check-ups, assessments, and follow-ups required home health nurses to travel to patients’ homes. Time and money were wasted during this process. By conducting virtual visits, nurses can see more patients and spend less time traveling thanks to telehealth. Using remote monitoring tools like blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters, nurses can obtain critical patient health information without being physically present. This real-time data transmission facilitates prompt interventions, lowers readmissions to hospitals, and enhances overall care quality.
The capability of telehealth technology to offer education and self-management support to patients is another significant advantage for home health nursing practice. Nurses can instruct patients remotely on managing their diseases, providing prescriptions, and establishing healthy habits through video conferencing and mobile health applications. Patients have access to educational materials, instructional videos, and individualized care plans, enabling them to actively participate in their healthcare. This patient-centered methodology encourages self-management, enhances patient results, and lowers healthcare expenses.
The difficulties and restrictions of telehealth in the field of home health nursing must be recognized, though. Healthcare access is uneven because not all patients have access to the required technology or internet connectivity. In-person visits may still be necessary for some healthcare services, such as physical therapy or wound care. As a result, the most successful strategy frequently mixes telemedicine with periodic in-person visits.
In conclusion, the practice of home health nursing and agency operations have been significantly impacted by telehealth technology. It has altered the way healthcare is delivered, increased efficiency, empowered patients to take control of their own treatment, and improved access to care. Telehealth is projected to play an increasingly significant role in home health nursing as technology develops and becomes more widely available, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and the standard of care.
References
Curtis, K., & Brooks, S. (2020). Digital health technology: factors affecting implementation in nursing homes. Nursing Older People, 32(2). https://doi.org/10.7748/nop.2020.e1236
Pahlevanynejad, S., Niakan Kalhori, S. R., Katigari, M. R., & Eshpala, R. H. (2023). Personalized mobile health for elderly home care: a systematic review of benefits and challenges. International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5390712