We are combining our Telemedicine and Virtual Care reports into Telemedicine News and Updates. We are seeking out the latest developments around Telemedicine. How is telemedicine used to benefit patients and care givers? What are the newest innovations in telemedicine technology? How telehealth and virtual care fit into the realm of Telemedicine.
Industry News:
American Telemedicine Association Announces Plans For First Annual Telehealth Awareness Week – September 19-25, 2021
The American Telemedicine Association (@AmericanTelemed) announced that it will convene leaders in telehealth service delivery, hospital systems and medical practices, technology solution providers, patient advocacy organizations, policymakers and other stakeholders during the first-annual Telehealth Awareness WeekTM, September 19-25, 2021. The ATA will host a series of events, publish educational resources, and share patient and healthcare provider experiences that support the permanent adoption of telehealth as part of a two-channel care delivery system that combines in-person and virtual care.
Amwell® Announces Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020
Amwell®, (@amwell) a national telehealth company, announced strong financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.
SOC Telemed Completes Acquisition of Access Physicians To Form Largest Acute Care Telemedicine Company in the US
SOC Telemed, Inc. (@SOCTelemed), a national provider of acute care telemedicine solutions, announced that it has completed its acquisition of Access Physicians, an experienced multi-specialty acute telemedicine provider, via a cash and stock purchase transaction valued at approximately $194 million, with additional potential consideration based on performance.
Tampa General Hospital Partners with TytoCare To Create TGH Virtual Health Kit
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and TytoCare (@TytoCare) are partnering to create the first innovative at-home telehealth kit in the Tampa Bay area, TGH Virtual Health Kit. This at-home kit will provide on-demand virtual medical exams for patients from a licensed provider from TGH’s urgent care team, TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track.
ATA Congratulates Xavier Becerra Upon His Confirmation As Secretary of Health and Human Services
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) congratulates Xavier Becerra following his Senate confirmation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
AMD Global Telemedicine Announces Integration with PointClickCare Technologies
AMD Global Telemedicine Inc. (AMD), a privately held telemedicine technology solution provider for healthcare organizations worldwide, is proud to announce its integration with PointClickCare Technologies, the leader in cloud-based software technology for the long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) market.
Latest News from the FCC:
FCC Adopts R&O To Start Round 2, COVID-19 Telehealth Program
The FCC (@fcc) voted to formally adopt a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration to establish Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act.
Product News:
eVisit Named Solo Leader by Independent Research Firm in Virtual Care Platforms for Digital Health Evaluation
eVisit (@evisit), a SaaS telehealth solutions company, announced that its eVisit Enterprise Virtual Care Platform has been named the solo Leader by Forrester Research in The Forrester Wave™: Virtual Care Platforms for Digital Health, Q1 2021.
Announcing BlueJeans Telehealth for Better Connected Health
Verizon is excited to announce BlueJeans Telehealth (@bluejeansnet) – a simple, smart and trusted way for providers and patients to conduct data-driven virtual care conversations. BlueJeans Telehealth was designed from the ground up for healthcare organizations to simplify the virtual join and visit experience and offer greater access to care, provide more flexibility for providers and patients, improve safety and extend the reach of services available.
Rhinogram Announces Addition of e-Forms & Signatures to its Virtual Care Platform
Rhinogram (@rhinogram), a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant virtual care platform, announced the integration of e-forms and signatures into its comprehensive platform. The new feature enables providers using the Rhinogram platform to support a fully virtual or hybrid experience, while streamlining patient intake and reducing the use of paper and storage space.
Strong Patient Engagement and Outcomes Achieved Virtually through Remote Patient Monitoring
Carium (@cariumcares), a telehealth technology company, announces the success of Health Logx’s virtual care program. Health Logx partners with primary care practices to provide virtual health and wellness services for at-risk patients, focusing on the CMS programs of remote patient monitoring (RPM) and chronic care management (CCM) to virtually support patients in between office visits.
AGNES Vitals Connect Streamlines Vitals Documentation for SNFs
AMD Global Telemedicine announces AGNES Vitals Connect ™, a cloud-based solution integrated directly with PointClickCare®, that reduces the time and resources needed for nursing staff to accomplish vitals rounds, leaving nursing staff more time for clinical observation and focused patient interaction.
To Read:
Smartphones, iPads and ‘webside manner’: Adapting quickly to virtual medicine in COVID-19 times by Lauren Rosenblatt Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Treating a patient in person versus on video requires some adjustments. For Dr. Amy Crawford-Faucher, it wasn’t just about changing the questions she asked but also the subtle cues she looked for.
Listen:
HealthcareNOW Radio Telehealth Playlist
The Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines telehealth as “the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.” To learn more and find out about the latest in telehealth tune in to the episodes on this playlist. Additionally, be sure to read HCNR’s Friday Five which recaps the site’s month long concentration on telehealth.
Telehealth.HHS.gov
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, we don’t have to choose between medical care and social distancing. When patients can get health care through telehealth — and doctors can provide it — we protect ourselves and our communities. The Telehealth.HHS.gov website provides information about the latest federal efforts to support and promote telehealth services.
The American Telemedicine Association Events
ATA is a non-profit association based in Washington DC with a membership network of more than 10,000 industry leaders and healthcare professionals. We are a leading telehealth association helping to transform healthcare by improving the quality, equity and affordability of healthcare throughout the world. Find their next event.
Defining the Industry According to the AAFP:
Telemedicine is the practice of medicine using technology to deliver care at a distance. It occurs using a telecommunications infrastructure between a patient (at an originating or spoke site) and a physician or other practitioner licensed to practice medicine (at a distant or hub site).
Virtual Care is a patient service model for healthcare providers.
Telehealth refers to a broad collection of electronic and telecommunications technologies that support health care delivery and services from distant locations. Telehealth technologies support virtual medical, health, and education services.
Hashtags to follow for updates on Telemedicine:
Upcoming Events
Telehealth Awareness Week (@AmericanTelemed)
What: First-Annual Telehealth Awareness Week
When: September 19-25. 2021
Where: Series of Virtual Events
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) will convene leaders in telehealth service delivery, hospital systems and medical practices, patient advocacy organizations, policymakers and other stakeholders during the first-annual Telehealth Awareness Week™, September 19-25, 2021. During the week, the ATA will host a series of events, publish educational resources and share patient and healthcare provider experiences that support the permanent adoption of telehealth as part of a two-channel care delivery system that combines in-person and virtual care.