Innovations in Expanding Primary Care Capacity

Kathy Duckett, RN, Director of Clinical Programs, Partners HealthCare at Home (PHH) presented on the value of telemedicine at Institute of Medicine’s public session on “Innovations in Expanding Primary Care Capacity” held in September in Washington D.C. The session focused on federal guidelines that surround geographic adjustment factors in Medicare payments. Joining Duckett were James Dickson, Chief Executive Officer for Copper Queen Community Hospital in Arizona and Rachel Morgan, RN, BSN, Health Committee Director for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

“With 10,000 baby boomers becoming eligible for Medicare each day, and many managing one or more chronic illnesses, we need to think differently on how we can provide the right care at the right cost in the right place,” said Duckett who spoke on behalf of home care and other health care agencies across the country that are using telemonitoring to expand health care resources. “Telemedicine can help us think about what’s possible outside of the walls of the hospitals and physician offices that can help our patients living with chronic diseases.” With its emphasis on both patient education and the use of a monitor that remotely tracks vital signs, patients learn effective ways to manage their illness in the natural environment of home.

The IOM study is part of the recent health reform legislation that will assist federal officials in determining accuracy of Medicare payments. Duckett pointed out that telemedicine can lead to costs savings for physicians, hospitals and the health care system as global payment structures continue to shape health care practice. “With telemedicine, we can intervene early before a symptom worsens and requires hospitalization,” said Duckett. “As a result, we save valuable healthcare dollars,” said Duckett. With Partners’ Connected Cardiac Care Program, a telemonitoring program run in partnership with the Center for Connected Health, re-hospitalizations were reduced by 67% for patients with heart failure leading to a significant savings to the system. “Through telemonitoring, we can intervene early and effectively to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, reduce costs, and help patients become more engaged in managing their illness and a more active member of their healthcare and their healthcare team.”

To watch her presentation, “Moving Away from Visit-Based Care,” click here .