Virtual Visits with Telehealth Technology

Advances in technology and success with the first telemonitoring machines in 2003, prompted the agency to obtain an additional 25 telemonitors, made possible through SBM Charitable Foundation Inc.’s generosity.  With Telehealth, patients are able to remain in the comfort and privacy of their own home while communicating with a specially-trained nurse who can track their vitals and monitor their progress, without either of them leaving their home or office. 

This new technology allows our highly skilled

nursing professionals to provide the best in care. A live, two-way telephone connection allows nurses and patients to have direct audio and video access. Our patients engage in virtual check-ups using medical instruments – such as a telephonic stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, glucose meter, and a pulse oximeter. A table top size video Patient Station is placed in the patient’s home while the Provider Station is located in our office. The nurse collects information and conducts a video visit by calling the patient in their home. They can see and hear each other while the clinician obtains visual and verbal information, gathers vital signs and takes snapshots of area of interest. The system functions over ordinary telephone lines.

The peripheral equipment connects to the patient station and readings are downloaded to the clinician’s system. The nurse easily tracks their patients' progress, assesses their condition and makes recommendations in their plan of care.  Even when the virtual visit is not in session, the patient is able to check his or her vital signs.  Furthermore, when the TeleHealth visit is conducted, the system can produce a report that will display the last readings taken after the previous visit.

Benefits of Technology:

1) Monitors the more critical cardiac patients;

2) Educate and empower the patient to manage their own symptoms and to take a more proactive role in their health care plan in the comfort of their home;

3) Through the use of real-time access, the technology allows for earlier intervention to prevent re-hospitalization. 

Here’s What We Heard About the Technology

“It’s like a security blanket, especially when I’m home alone. I enjoy just knowing that the nurse is going to call.  It makes me feel better.  She knows what to do to help me and what to say to me.”

“I’m able to take my own blood pressure.  I feel good about it. It’s comforting to know it’s there.  Someone is always there to answer my questions.” 

~Marion, Ellington resident