News
Telehealth Bill Introduced In The Senate
Senate bill S501 which is the Fostering Independence Through Technology Act was introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) to help rural underserved areas provide specialty coverage that are not available. This needed legislation will afford patients better access, avoid long traveling, and keep patients in their community. This was reported in the Rapid City Journal.
Advancing California’s Leadership in Telehealth Policy – Important Update
California’s Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) just released a report recommending an update for the existing healthcare policies that are in need of key changes. CCHP brought together 25 leaders in healthcare and telehealth to review the record breaking and innovative approach to telehealth initiated by the Telemedicine Development Act (TDA) of 1996. Key recommendations included changing the policy from telemedicine to telehealth, elimination of an additional informed consent, remove Medi-Cal’s requirement of documentation of a need for a “virtual” encounter, and allow emails and phone conversations to be included as part of the encounter. All will be watching to see of the state legislature will respond to these suggestions.
Dr. Bander of C3O Comments on Latest Keystone Data:Ventilator Pneumonias Reduced
Dr. Joseph J. Bander, Tele-ICU director for c3o, was a part of the recent data released from the Keystone Project. This project done in Michigan and lead by Dr. Peter Provonost of Johns Hopkins noted a 70% reduction in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonias (VAP) by following a checklist. Dr Bander, “This project demonstrates what focus and dedication to a common goal can achieve. It takes constant vigilance and a multidisciplinary team approach to get this kind of result. It proves we can continue to have good outcomes as long as we share that common goal-patient safety and good outcome is everyone’s job and responsibility.” He also felt that what was done in Michigan can be replicated across the United States.
Not Using Telemedicine: Are You Exposed to Malpractice?
C3O Medical Group is a strong believer in the wisdom of CTel with it’s vast experience. According to the CTel website: “While telemedicine prescribing laws and regulations do vary from state to state, did you know that failure to use telehealth in particular circumstances could also legally put you in jeopardy? Don’t find yourself calling your attorney for not using telehealth.
Tune into to CTeL’s Washington Live! Brown Bag Telehealth Webinar: “Will you have to call your lawyer if you don’t practice telehealth?” Monday, February 28, 2011, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (EST).”
Rogove to Speak at “Success in Simulation” in Ohio
Dr. Herb Rogove of C3O Medical Group will speak in Ohio at the PACCAR Symposium: Success in Simulation – Plan, Design, and Sustain March 17-18, 2011. In addition to Dr. Rogove, Dr. Pam Boyers from the University of Toledo and Hamish Williams, CEO of The Simulators will also speak. The symposium is a unique gathering of experts in the field of Simulation Medicine where the role of Telemedicine will be discussed as it intersects with Simulation.
C3O’s Fountain Valley Program in California Healthcare Foundation’s: ER Call Coverage
In the February, 2011 Report on ER Call Coverage which is a report update of the 2005 study, our Fountain Valley Medical Center Neurocritical Care and Neurology with the RP-7 is listed as one of the alternative to onsite physician coverage. Quoted is our less than 22 minute from page to patient care. There are many other updates in this California Healthcare Foundation survey and study which is a most impressive look at the ongoing problem of coverage.
ICU Infection Rate Lowered by 5-Point Checklist: Tele-ICU Can Help
Many are familiar with the Keystone Project in Michigan and results have recently shown that the infection rates are significantly down as the result of a 5-point checklist. This translates into many lives being saved. The work was recently reported in the British Medical Journal and discusses the work done by Dr. Peter Provonost from the Johns Hopkins Medical Center and key healthcare leaders in Michigan including Dr. Joseph J. Bander, the Tele-ICU director of C3O. Many of these guidelines can be supported by Tele-ICU programs which can be that safety backup system that reviews if bundles or checklists are being done. Compliance is key in any new or existing quality program.The success of this program will see widespread adoption by many states.
Tele-ICU Codes are off of life support: call the family!
I in recent chat with Dr. JIm Mathers (posted on the American Telemedicine HUB), past president of the American College of Chest Physicians and advocate of telemedicine “the Category III code will expire in 1.5 years. The AMA has not responded to my request for information. As far as I can tell from talking to VISICU no one has been using the code. The only way to keep it on the books is for one of the professional organizations with a seat on the CPT advisory panel to submit a request for it to be moved to a Category I code or be renewed as a Category III Code. With no member pressure, the ATS, ACCP and SCCM leadership have repeatedly stated their opposition to the establishment of a Category I code so I think that is a dead issue. While they might support continuation of a Category III code it is unlikely to be successful with little or any current use of that Code.”
“MBANS” a term you need to know: Monitoring Our Patients ANYWHERE
The FCC is now considering a special bandwidth, Mobile Body Area Network (MBAN) so that healthcare professionals can monitor patient’s vital signs anywhere. Great for any specialty whether a patient was recently discharged from the Tele-ICU or a primary care physician who wanted to know what his hypertensive urgency patient’s blood pressure is currently running. An idea who’s time has come and will especially allow patients with major debilitating chronic conditions to have professional connectivity.
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C3O Telemedicine News
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January 28th, 2011
Let’s Keep Patients out of the Tele-ICU: New MRSA Guidelines
The Society of Infectious Diseases just released guidelines for practitioners who treat Methicillin Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus infections which often become severe enough to cause septic shock and admission to the ICU. Genetically we now know that community and hospital acquired infections are different. Utilizing MIC’s < 2 as a good sign that Vancomycin will work and > 2 as a reason to search for an alternative.
