How is virtual healthcare used to benefit patients and care givers? What are the newest innovations in virtual care technology? How do telehealth and telemedicine fit into the realm of virtual healthcare? We have our finger on the pulse and are striving to report the latest developments around virtual healthcare.
Industry News
19 Leading Hospital Systems and Academic Medical Centers Share Their Learnings at ATA Nexus 2024 in New System Spotlight Sessions
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) announced that 19 leading hospital systems and academic medical centers from across the country will share lessons learned, best practices and strategies for advancing virtual care innovation, at ATA Nexus 2024, May 5-7 in Phoenix, AZ.
Costco Expands Its Health Care Services
Costco is expanding deeper into health care as it solidifies its relationship with Sesame. Sesame health care offers both telehealth and in-person visits for people who have no health insurance. Through a $99 annual membership, one can talk to, or see, very competent doctors or nurse practitioners. The teleservice appointments allow patients to see doctors quickly and effectively.
Augmedix Integrates with Andor Health to Revolutionize Ambient Clinical Documentation for Ambulatory Virtual Care
In a significant move to streamline healthcare workflows and allow clinicians to focus on patient care, Augmedix, a provider of ambient AI medical documentation and data solutions, announced that it has integrated with Andor Health, an AI-first cloud-based communication and collaboration platform for virtual care.
SONIFI Health expands support for hospital virtual care with telehealth partnerships and system optimizations
With growing demand for virtual care in hospital settings, patient engagement technology provider SONIFI Health is enhancing the use cases supported by its interactive platform with clinically integrated workflows and a best-in-class partner ecosystem.
Product News
AvaSure Analytics™ Portal Launches with National Database of Comparative Provider Data
On the heels of its breakthrough innovation with the AvaSure Episodic solution that allows hospitals to transform their virtual care model, AvaSure, has announced significant enhancements to its industry-leading analytics portal that further advances its AI-powered Intelligent Virtual Care platform.
Allurion Expands Virtual Care Suite to the United States
Allurion Technologies, Inc., a company dedicated to ending obesity, announced the commercial availability of its comprehensive Virtual Care Suite (VCS) in the United States.
Policy News
Stakeholders Send Letter to DEA Urging Action on Telehealth Rule Crucial for Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders
The Alliance for Connected Care, the American Telemedicine Association, ATA Action, the Consumer Technology Association, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and the Partnership to Advance Virtual Care, co-leading the effort, submitted a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requesting the expedited release of a revised proposed rule to permit and regulate the prescribing of controlled substances through telehealth. The letter was signed by 214 stakeholders. Current flexibilities allowing for the remote prescribing of controlled substances are set to expire at the end of this year, necessitating regulatory action to ensure their continuation.
To Read
7 ways telehealth is reshaping medicine for the better by AMA – Telehealth use exploded to play an outsized role in helping patients safely access care when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit four years ago, but it is wrong to think of this form of digitally enabled care as a relic of 2020. Indeed, 74% of physicians work in practices that offer telehealth.
A Year After Amazon Purchase, One Medical Adds Clinics And New Markets by Forbes – A year after Amazon bought One Medical, the provider of physician-staffed clinics and virtual care has added more than 15 new offices and will be expanding into two additional U.S. markets by the end of this year.
Barbie may help physicians, patients have more productive telehealth visits – As telehealth visits become more prevalent, physicians can sometimes struggle to help patients effectively demonstrate a musculoskeletal exam through a screen. At the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, one physician found a way to help pediatric patients demonstrate different joint movements using a Barbie doll.
To Listen
Our 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.
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:
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.
Upcoming Events
ATA2024 Annual Conference & Expo (@AmericanTelemed)
What: ATA2024 Annual Conference & Expo
When: May 5-7, 2024
Where: Phoenix, AZ
Register today.
ATA2024 Annual Conference & Expo – When you want to have serious conversations with decision-makers and like-minded colleagues, hear presentations from respected industry leaders who are walking the walk, and be a part of a cause-based community that is working toward a common goal – to advance virtual care – ATA Nexus 2024 is the place for you!