Patients suffering from chronic conditions and receiving end-of-life care often find themselves trapped in a cycle of rehospitalizations — become ill, be admitted, receive care, get released, only to return and repeat this again and again.
This repetitive process not only strains the patients and their families but also burdens an already-overstretched healthcare system. Waiting rooms and hospital beds are filled with those in need of comprehensive care while resources are poured into administrative tasks. This constant shuffle in and out of hospitals contributes to operational inefficiencies, overwhelming administrative tasks, and a decline in the quality of care provided, which in turn increases the frequency of rehospitalization. And around and around we go. However, the implementation of digital healthcare and mobile services into hospital systems has the potential to disrupt this cycle profoundly.
Yes, home healthcare has existed for decades, but advancements in digital health services can now bridge the gap between these agencies and hospitals, bringing high-acuity care outside of hospital walls and into living rooms. For this to work seamlessly, integration into hospital systems is crucial. It involves streamlining administrative tasks and ensuring a smooth exchange of information among care providers. This integration reduces bureaucratic hurdles, allowing resources to focus on patient care.
Accessibility is another key aspect. Digital healthcare platforms should be easy for both patients and providers to use. When these systems are user-friendly and accessible, patients can quickly get the care they need, while healthcare providers can efficiently deliver it without obstacles. This helps to improve not only the convenience of care and patient experience but also the outcomes. Patients with easy access to digital in-home medical care are more likely to follow treatment plans. They also have higher satisfaction scores, physical and mental test scores, are more engaged with their health, and are more at ease and comfortable in their care.
When used correctly, these technologies improve patient outcomes, reduce readmissions and help ease the financial strain on the healthcare system. Thus, encouraging the appropriate use of digital healthcare by payers and providers is vital. For example, when medication is e-prescribed, online pharmacies can deliver important prescriptions directly to patients’ doors, who then have access to digital nurses to help increase medication adherence and make disruptions in medication schedules far less likely, in turn reducing hospitalizations.
Having qualified clinicians as the primary point of contact is vital. This ensures a higher standard of care compared to relying on unqualified customer service representatives. It elevates the quality of initial patient interactions, ensuring proper assessment and guidance from knowledgeable professionals.
Lastly, connecting patient data to outcomes and hospital avoidance is imperative. Data analytics enables healthcare providers to personalize treatments, predict potential complications, and prevent rehospitalizations more effectively.
Forecasts indicate that this transformative shift to digital healthcare may take three to five years for the industry to fully adapt and witness widespread effects on hospital readmissions. Yet, the potential impact is profound.
Digital healthcare technologies extend the reach of high-acuity care beyond hospital confines, allowing individuals with chronic illnesses and those in end-of-life care to receive comprehensive services within the comfort of their homes. By bridging the gap between hospital-level care and home settings, these advancements enhance patient convenience, adherence to treatment plans and overall well-being.
Moreover, the integration of telemedicine and digital health services eases the strain on healthcare facilities. Healthcare professionals gain the ability to monitor patients remotely, expand their reach into communities and allocate resources more efficiently, thereby improving care for those who still require hospitalization. The more these critical services and technologies are adopted and implemented by the medical complex, the more accessible and easier to navigate healthcare and the better-served millions of people will be.
Jackleen Samuel is CEO and founder of Resilient Healthcare.
