LeadingAge CAST has updated its Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool with new vendor information and a new case study from Curatess and Lexington Health Network. The product matrix and online selection tool now contain information for 16 products from 13 vendors. The tool is designed to help aging services organizations understand telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies, as well as these technologies’ uses and benefits.

This knowledge will help providers understand, plan for, select, implement, and adopt the appropriate technology while advocating for innovative care models. The portfolio includes a matrix comparing existing telehealth and RPM solutions to help providers select solutions that best fit their requirements.

Case Study: Open Telehealth Platform

The new case study, “Lexington Health Network (LHN) and Curatess Open Telehealth Platform,” demonstrates the use of open telemedicine, integrated with a patient’s medical record and medical peripherals. LHN found the solution better managed return-to-hospital rates, leave-of-absence rates, and operational inefficiencies. 

Skilled nursing facility LHN began leveraging the Curatess Essential Care Open Telehealth Platform in 2015 to connect remote nurse practitioners to provide better clinical care during nights, weekends, and holidays. The platform provides synchronous (real-time) telemedicine with complete electronic health records/electronic medical records and medical device integration. As a result, it supports comprehensive remote evaluation and care team coordination.

Comprehensive access to care means less need to call 911 and fewer patient transfers. By managing patients in place, the skilled nursing facility gains the opportunity to retain revenue and limit financial penalties associated with high-care-setting transfers.

Outcomes: In the three years since the platform was implemented, Lexington Health has incorporated telemedicine into the standards of care for all skilled nursing facilities, and telemedicine calls increased 100%. In addition, 90% of change-in-condition encounters are now managed in place; this percentage rose as telemedicine was used. The net gain of retained revenue over those three years was $690,000.

The nursing staff and Directors of Nursing also greatly appreciate having telemedicine for remote access to Advanced Practitioner Nurses around the clock. See the case study.

CAST Technology Selection Tools

The complete portfolio of Telehealth and RPM tools includes the following:

• Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) White Paper.
• CAST Telehealth RPM Interactive Guide.
• Online Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool (updated).
• Telehealth and RPM Selection Matrix (updated).
• Telehealth and RPM Case Studies (updated).

In addition to the Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool, LeadingAge CAST produces and publishes five additional comprehensive online technology selection tools:

• EHR Selection Tool. 
• Functional Assessment and Activity Monitoring Technology Selection Tool.
• Medication Management Selection Tool.
• Shared Care Planning and Coordination Selection Tool. 
• Social Connectedness and Engagement Selection Tool.

Make sure you stop by the CAST Booth in the Expo Hall, #627 at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting. See a demo of this or one of our other technology planning and selection tools, check out our cybersecurity resources, learn about our technology policy and advocacy efforts, hear about technology events that CAST is convening, or discuss how we can help you and your organization on your technology journey! Check out what else LeadingAge CAST has planned at the annual meeting in this article. Register now to join this invaluable event.