CAST was putting the finishing touches on our newly updated Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Selection Tool when we came across new evidence showing that telehealth has a bright future in the field of long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC).
The first piece of evidence came from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). AHRQ published a report in June showing that telehealth lowers mortality rates, improves quality of life, and decreases hospital admissions when used to monitor individuals with certain chronic conditions.
Not surprisingly, as we have seen in previous reports and review articles, the evidence of cost-effectiveness was weaker. I am eager to see the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and its innovations center support large-scale demonstrations that evaluate the cost-effectiveness of telehealth under appropriate payment models that innovatively align incentives. CMS should also engage a variety of LTPAC providers to better address the cost-effectiveness question.
The second piece of evidence came on July 14 when the New England Journal of Medicine published a review article showing that telehealth is well on its way to becoming the dominant form of physician-patient interaction in the health care field. A growing number of stakeholders are recognizing telehealth’s potential to make care more accessible and convenient, and to reduce cost. In addition, this emerging technology is increasingly being used by a variety of providers and in a variety of settings, including the home.
Neither of these research-based reports surprised CAST. I suspect they would not surprise any CAST member organization that has used telehealth and RPM to help residents and clients manage their chronic conditions.
Nonetheless, it is gratifying to know that researchers are building a strong evidence base for telehealth. I look forward to a time when the results of such research will convince policy makers to expand telehealth implementation by expanding reimbursement for promising telehealth technologies.
Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool
It’s also good to know that CAST is on the right track as we pursue our goals to promote telehealth adoption in LTPAC settings, advocate for policies that will support that adoption, and help LTPAC organizations identify and select the telehealth system that best fits their needs.
That last goal — helping LTPAC providers select a telehealth system — is what our Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool is all about. This tool, which we first introduced in 2013, is updated every year so it continues to be relevant and useful to LTPAC providers.
This year’s updated tool features:
- An enhanced Product Selection Matrix and Online Selection Tool comparing 19 different products. These tools will help providers better understand the functionalities offered by commercially available telehealth/RPM vendors.
- An updated whitepaper that is designed to help organizations understand the range of issues surrounding telehealth.
- An interactive guide that helps busy executives quickly get an overview of telehealth, the whitepaper, and the planning and selection process.
- Two new case studies of telehealth implementation by Banner Health and Camelot Brookside Care Center.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to review this portfolio of tools and put it to use as you plan for and select your next telehealth solution.
LTPAC Health IT Summit
Interoperability was on everyone’s mind at the Long-Term and Post-Acute Care (LTPAC) Health IT Summit in June. LeadingAge and CAST co-sponsored and co-organized the summit.
Check out our article, which highlights Long-Term Living magazine’s coverage of presentations by 2 CAST Commissioners:
- David Wessinger, chief technology officer and co-founder of PointClickCare, a LeadingAge Silver Partner with CAST Focus
- Peter Kress, vice president and chief information officer of Acts Retirement-Life Communities, a LeadingAge Member and CAST Patron based in West Point, PA
Also in This Issue
This issue of Tech Time is filled with lots of great news about a LeadingAge Partner engaged with CAST, a CAST Patron, and several CAST Business Associates.
Be sure to read about how Philips, a LeadingAge Silver Partner and CAST Supporter, recently launched a new version of CarePoint, its safety and wander management solution. In addition, check out news about Philips’ recent challenge to university students participating in this year’s RSA Student Design Awards competition. The winner of the challenge designed a tea kettle that collects data about a user’s gripping strength.
I encourage you to visit the new website of the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing (FPCIW). Read our article to find out how the website is showcasing “what imagination can do with technology to empower people to live well.” Front Porch, a LeadingAge Member and CAST Patron in Glendale, CA, established FPCIW 2 years ago.
Be sure to read our article about how 3 CAST Business Associates — Caremerge, MatrixCare, and LV Health Solutions — are tapping new financial, human, and infrastructure resources to help them expand their presence in the LTPAC market.
Finally, don’t miss out on the free resources that 2 CAST Business Associates have developed for LTPAC providers. CAST Business Associate Keystone Technologies is offering an online tool to help you reduce the risk of resident falls. Materials from CAST Business Associate Harmony Healthcare International could help you comply with revised Minimum Data Set (MDS) requirements that will become effective this fall.
Feel Free to Contact Me
I hope you enjoy these and other articles in this issue of Tech Time. Please contact me with any questions for comments.