Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice Partners with Health Recovery Solutions to Reduce Readmissions and ER Visits
BOSTON (PRWEB) November 07, 2017 -- Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice, an affiliate of Hallmark Health System, is one of the few in Massachusetts leveraging technology to improve health outcomes for their chronic disease patients. Telemonitoring is booming as healthcare agencies turn to simple technology to enhance the quality of care in the home and reduce overall healthcare costs for chronic disease management.
In August 2017, Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice partnered with Health Recovery Solutions (HRS), an innovative telemonitoring software company, to provide continuous care for chronic disease patients. Using 4G tablets and Bluetooth peripheral devices, Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice is able to monitor patient vitals and adherence while patients recover in the comfort of their own homes. Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice clinicians are able to assess the patient’s health and respond to any drastic changes that could put them at risk for hospital readmission. Simultaneously, patients can contact their clinicians through the tablets whenever they have questions about their disease, their care plan, or if they feel that they might be at risk for an emergency room visit and hospital readmission.
Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice is using telemonitoring specifically for patients who suffer from congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with CHF and COPD have a national average 30-day readmission rate of 22.7% [1] and 22.1% [2] respectively. Hospital readmissions cause financial, emotional, and physical difficulties for patients. Home health agencies that use HRS’ telemonitoring have significantly reduced their readmission numbers by addressing low health literacy and medication adherence through educational videos, quizzes and medication reminders. Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice is excited to offer their patients this unique level of patient-centered care by leveraging the innovative telehealth tools that the software provides.
Reflecting on how telehealth fits into their care plan, Gina Serino, RN clinical team manager of Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice says “telehealth fits into our work flow and care plan from the start of a patient admitted into our agency. The telehealth nurse in collaboration with the nurse case manager and doctor develop a care plan using telehealth as a tool to manage a patient’s disease process and symptoms. The telehealth nurse and staff use the program to monitor and assess vital signs, questionnaire and video calls to enhance the patients care. We use the videos on disease management for education with patients and families.” Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice is especially excited to be able to see patients continuously through video visits so that they may provide true continuous care management for patients in delicate conditions. Serino adds “we are especially excited about the video calling feature so that we may assess a patient and educate them virtually.”
Jarrett Bauer, CEO of HRS, adds “we are excited that Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice has decided to use our solution to provide continuous care to their patients and to educate them so that they can reduce the burden that chronic disease places on patients.”
For more information on Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice, call (781) 338-7800 or visit https://www.hallmarkhealth.org/Hallmark-Health-VNA-and-Hospice.html
For information on Health Recovery Solutions, call (347) 699-6477 or visit http://www.healthrecoverysolutions.com.
[1] 53 hospitals with the lowest 30-day heart failure readmission rates
2 Readmission Penalties for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Will Further Stress Hospitals Caring for Vulnerable Patient Populations
Michael Sjoding-Colin Cooke - American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine - 2014
Richard Curry, Health Recovery Solutions, http://www.healthrecoverysolutions.com, +1 551-900-2018, [email protected]
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