Karen Wilkinson

Amanda Gildea

Define and describe Telehealth (TH). List and describe TH hardware and

software. Identify, describe and review TH. Describe advantages/disadvantages of

using TH Examine legal and ethical issues related

to the use of TH. Describe technology-related

competencies needed by the professional nurse working with TH.

Describe functions of the informatics' nurse working with TH.

Delivery of health-related services/information via telecommunications

An expansion of telemedicine Gives advice on prevention of diseases Promotion of health by patient

monitoring and followup Provides nursing assessment without

person-to-person contact. Telehealth--delivery of health-related

services and information via tele-communications technologies.

Weight scale

Blood pressure monitor

Pulse oximeter

Thermometer

Spirometer

Touch screen self reporting device (communication hub/Turtle 400)

Known as the communication hub Organizes data Encrypts to assure confidentiality Has a digital readout Installs easily in patient’s home Transmits organized data to

telehealth RN via wireless network

ViTel Telecommunications Network, Inc. ViTel Net

E-Telehealth Carematrix HomMed LLC Viterion TeleHealthcare LLC Stryker

Disease specific education modules Automatically captures the medical

readings from the devices Triages abnormal readings Trending and statistical analysis using

scoring results Minimizes patient navigational process Health assessment questions displayed

individually and accompanied with audio.

Ease of using an applicationAutomatically capture medical readings

from devicesSoftware is loaded when Turtle powered on

Ease of learningTouch-screen buttons

Menu Question Education Clear Send

Ease of remembering interaction methodsTouch-screenAudioReadings entered directly from devices

User satisfaction with system useSet up and user friendly

Efficiency of usePatient enters yes or no questionsProvides disease specific education

Error-free and error-forgiving interactionsPatient’s entered responses are able to be

clearedPatient’s entered responses submitted by

touching send buttonRecords recent submission data including

time and dateConfirms data sent.

Realistic measure of vital signs Improve timeliness of clinical decision

making Access to patient trend data Instant identification of pertinent

changes in patient’s condition Allows chronically ill patients to be

maintained in the home Reduces unnecessary acute care costs

Non-compliance of patient use Fear of using new technology (patient

and family) High cost of repairing the equipment No follow through after abnormal

patient data submitted Obtaining buy-in from nurses Staff not educated on telehealth

Education on technology Education of installation Communication skills while conducting visits

Computer and Turtle400 literacy

Investigate the latest trends with the use of telehealth

Educating nurses/administration on the use of telehealth

Evaluate the effectiveness of the different hardware/software systems with telehealth

Nursing care through distant technology is becoming more popular

Factors highlighted throughout this presentation have identified the need of this popular trend

With the cooperation of doctors and nurses working as a team along with informatics education, it is evident telehealth medicine will be a success with the future informatics healthcare system

Express MD Solutions. (2005, December). Express MD Solutions (p. 1). Retrieved from http://www.expressmdsolutions.com/pdfs/expressMD_data_sheet.pdf

Lorentz, M. M. (April 2008). Telenursing and Home Healthcare. Home Healthcare Nurse , 26 (4), 241-242.

McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. ( 2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge,267. Boston: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Telehealth Vendors. (2005, April). Telehealth Vendors (p. 1,3). Retrieved from http://www.hce.org/Education/ToolKits/Telehealth_Toolkit/09_VENDORS/06-TelehealthVendors.pdf

Vasquez, Monica S., RB-C. (May 2008). Down to the Fundamentals of Telehealth and Home Healthcare Nursing. Home Healthcare Nurse , 26 (5), 284.

ViTel Net. (2006). ViTelCare™ Standard and Likert Health Assessment, (¶ 1,3). Retrieved from Vital Net: http://www.vitelnet.com/HM/vitelcare_pu_sw.htm

Wikipedia (2010). Telehealth,(¶1-3). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Telehealth