Posts

mobile integrated healthcare: in-home nurse visit

It’s the End of EMS As We Know It (and We Feel Better)

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

As telemedicine capabilities continue to grow and healthcare demands become more complex, Emergency Management Services (EMS) are facing a potential transformation from a chronically underfunded acute-care delivery method to a front-line community health advocate focusing on public health, preventive care, and disease management, as explained by a recent series in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. Thus far, the application of telemedicine to EMS has revolved around enabling earlier assessment, diagnosis, and treatment during transport, leading to hospitals being more specifically prepared to receive emergency patients upon arrival, faster treatment times, and improved patient outcomes. However, Dr. Orlando E. Rivera, DNP, MBA, RN, a specialist in emergency and prehospital medicine, envisions a broader role for EMS. By adding community health programs targeting chronic disease management, mental health, geriatrics, pediatrics, and substance abuse, for instance, EMS strategy can shift from a reactive response to a proactive approach that addresses “simmering” health issues before they escalate into full-blown emergencies, thus reducing the frequency and severity of emergency situations. 

Read more
concept art of telemedicine cart covered in cobwebs from disuse

“Build It and They Will Come”—Or Will They?

/in , , , /by

Over the last few years, as the COVID-19 pandemic ran its course, we’ve all watched as telemedicine players Teladoc and Amwell acquired smaller entities in their bids to build all-in-one telehealth provider solutions addressing acute care, mental health, and chronic condition management—practically everything, it seems. In contrast, swyMed has focused on working closely with clients to customize technology to meet their specific needs and integrate with their existing systems, such as telestroke and emergency transport. Now, as we sift through the data, it is becoming clear that giant “one-size-fits-all” programs are not the panacea they claimed to be; instead, with increasing emphasis on patient engagement, healthcare organizations want personalized technology platforms that mesh with their current structure for ease-of-use among both patients and providers.

Read more
EMTs treating patient on-site

How to Save $10 Billion Annually with EMS 4.0

/in , /by

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) pilot program was launched to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of patients beyond a hospital’s walls, particularly in ambulances “in the field”, with the goals of delivering health care services more efficiently and reducing unnecessary Emergency Department (ED) visits. The program was designed to align the incentives for EMS services so patients were treated in the care setting that made the most sense, i.e., EMS would be paid for providing mobile health care rather than only after transporting a patient to the ED. Five years later, with Americans more than comfortable receiving care via telemedicine, the health care industry is well-positioned to expand these services on a wider scale as video-enabled EMS 4.0, saving potentially $10 billion annually across the nation.

Read more