When properly implemented, virtual care has the potential to aid healthcare providers in lowering costs while simultaneously enhancing the quality of care and the health of populations. The adoption of telemedicine during the clinical development consulting stage seems to be the ultimate goal for upcoming medical technology by enhancing healthcare at a lower cost for all. It’s a win-win for everyone involved because not only are the costs low, but so is the amount of time spent. Here are four ways how it achieves this:
Focus on the continuity of care
Telehealth and RPM can help provide continuous care for patients who have recently been discharged or who have chronic diseases by maximizing a healthcare provider’s time with each patient and facilitating better communication. With virtual care, patients can have more control over their health, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, and significantly reduce the likelihood of readmissions due to increasing or undiagnosed symptoms. However, not all of it must be conducted in the clinic; some monitoring procedures can be done online, proving the cost-saving benefits of at home clinical trials.
Reduce the workload in emergency rooms.
Virtual consultations can reduce the need for ER visits, which might initially seem counterintuitive. Patients are less likely to go to the emergency room if they can receive urgent treatment from the comfort of their homes via a phone call or video chat. Since doctors can now access their patients’ medical records online, many issues can be diagnosed over the phone, and medication prescribed without the patient ever leaving their house. By reducing the number of people admitted to A&E for treatment when their conditions are not life-threatening, a system of triage can make more space in the emergency department for those who truly require it.
Cut down on costly readmissions
Re-admissions to the clinic after patients have been released could be reduced if they were to complete routine diagnostic and check-up procedures. However, not every checkup needs to be done in a medical setting; certain consultations can be done over the phone or videoconference. Numerous telemonitoring systems and technologies make it possible to not only slow the influx of patients but also enhance the standard of care provided and the outcomes for those who get it.
Lowering staffing costs
Labor is one of the biggest costs for any business. A lack of staff can place a heavy burden on those working in the healthcare industry. However, healthcare costs can be reduced if hospitals improve their staffing management and use tools like big data. As a bonus, this will have a beneficial effect on patient outcomes. By comparing data from previous shifts with current patient demands, data can assist hospitals determine optimal staffing levels. Hospitals can make better staffing decisions by analyzing the current staff and demands based on factors including the number of new patients, the number of available beds, equipment status, emergency room capacity, and more. Rather than spending money on costly alternatives like temporary workers or paying regular employees to work overtime, it can help them meet their needs more efficiently.
Virtual care makes basic care better, more consistent, and more available for people who need it the most. In addition, it has the potential to be an inexpensive means by which providers can better manage their patient loads, internal operations, and overall service volume.