Posted on

Why Telemedicine Carts Are Not An Option In Healthcare in 2023

telehealth carts are not an option

I’m sure by now you have heard the terms “Telemedicine” or “Telehealth” being used as a common form of healthcare. Technology continues to redefine the way medical services are delivered and received, which begs the question of what the future will look like. 

The healthcare landscape of 2023 is witnessing a remarkable transformation driven by technology, and at the forefront of this revolution are telemedicine/telehealth carts. These versatile devices have transformed the way healthcare professionals connect with patients and offer medical consultations remotely. 

In this blog, we’ll explore why telemedicine carts are not just an option but a necessity in healthcare in 2023 and beyond.

The Rise of Telemedicine

telehealth users in the millions
Image: https://www.insiderintelligence.com/content/us-telemedicine-users-will-surpass-40-million-this-year

The global pandemic of the early 2020s accelerated the adoption of telehealth solutions, pushing healthcare providers to find new ways to deliver care while minimizing in-person interactions. Telemedicine emerged as a critical solution, allowing doctors to connect with patients virtually, ensuring access to care without the risks associated with physical visits.

Although telemedicine was on a steady trajectory before March 2020, a study conducted in 2022 noted that the number of physicians reporting telemedicine as an active option has doubled as of 2020, from 20% to just less than 40% (and is estimated to continue an upward trend). 

Physicians are not only using telemedicine for basic healthcare needs, they are practicing and enhancing telemedicine to have the capacity to treat patients who have chronic diseases. This would make telemedicine more than just a pandemic trend but a necessity as we continue to expand healthcare. 

This is why telemedicine carts are not just an option in healthcare in 2023 and beyond. 

What Are the Main Benefits of Telemedicine Carts?

Video Conferencing Revolution 

Telemedicine carts have evolved to provide seamless video conferencing capabilities. High-definition cameras, advanced microphones, and crystal-clear screens create an immersive experience that is competitive with in-person consultations. Patients and healthcare providers can now interact face-to-screen, even when miles apart, fostering a sense of connection and empathy crucial for effective healthcare delivery.

Device Diversity & Accessibility 

Now in 2023, telemedicine carts have adapted to accommodate a wide range of devices. Patients can join appointments from smartphones, tablets, or laptops, ensuring accessibility for diverse demographics. Telemedicine carts act as the bridge between various devices, creating a standardized platform that connects patients and healthcare professionals.

Enhancing Diagnosis & Treatment 

Telemedicine carts now offer advanced diagnostic tools that allow doctors to remotely examine patients. High-resolution cameras enable close-ups of wounds, rashes, or other visible symptoms, aiding accurate diagnosis. With integrated peripheral devices like digital stethoscopes and otoscopes, healthcare providers can listen to heartbeats and examine ear canals from a distance, making telehealth consultations more comprehensive.

Additionally, telehealth capacities can be tied into remote patient monitoring devices (RPM), to further expand remote healthcare accessibility. Nurses can keep a close eye on patients even when they are not physically present at the bedside by using RPM devices. This technology is particularly beneficial for home care and remote patient management, as it helps detect early warning signs, prevent complications, and reduce hospital readmissions. Devices like telehealth kits, tablets, and smartwatches make this possible, which would be a good consideration for patients, travel nurses, and facilities that offer telemedicine.

Telemedicine Cart Variants

There are many cart options available on the market, ready to serve you and your facility. But which cart is going to best serve you and your staff? To learn more about the features you should consider when choosing a telehealth cart, check out our blog: 5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Telehealth Workstation

Otherwise, here is a breakdown of DATACART™’s mobile workstations that work well for telemedicine capacities: 

Powered Cart 

powered medical carts

Equipped with power outlets, these carts offer enhanced mobility and autonomy. In 2023, powered carts have become an essential asset for healthcare providers, enabling them to bring remote consultations directly to the patient’s bedside. They are particularly useful in settings where healthcare professionals need to move from room to room while maintaining a seamless connection with patients. Powered carts provide the necessary flexibility for efficient telemedicine sessions.

To see more powered computer carts, click here

SFF (Small Form Factor) Cart 

small form factor cart

In compact healthcare environments, space optimization is crucial. Small Form Factor (SFF) carts are designed to fit seamlessly into clinics, exam rooms, and even tight spaces, making them a go-to choice for healthcare providers looking to incorporate telemedicine capabilities into their existing infrastructure. Their versatility makes them ideal for clinics and hospitals with limited room for larger setups.

To see more SFF carts, click here

Telestroke Cart 

telestroke cart

Time is of the essence when dealing with stroke patients. Telestroke carts come equipped with specialized tools such as high-resolution cameras, diagnostic software, and real-time data transmission capabilities. Neurologists can remotely assess stroke patients, collaborate with on-site teams, and make critical decisions swiftly, significantly improving patient outcomes.

To see more telehealth/telestroke carts, click here

Wellness Cart

wellness cart

While wellness carts may be less popular than other cart variants, they still hold promise in promoting holistic health. These carts provide a platform for delivering wellness programs, exercise guidance, and mental health support remotely. In a time when overall well-being is increasingly recognized as integral to healthcare, wellness carts offer an avenue for proactive engagement with patients, empowering them to take charge of their health beyond traditional medical consultations.

To check out the wellness cart, click here

The Imperative Need for Telemedicine

Why will telemedicine continue growing as time goes on? Why is it important to consider telehealth carts for your healthcare or school facility? There are essential needs for telemedicine that make it our new normal: 

Accessible Healthcare for All 

In an era where equal access to healthcare is a global priority, telemedicine carts play a pivotal role in ensuring that medical services reach every corner of the world. These carts bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, allowing even remote and underserved areas to receive expert medical attention.

Rapid Diagnosis & Treatment 

Telemedicine carts have evolved to include advanced diagnostic tools that enable healthcare providers to conduct comprehensive assessments remotely. High-definition cameras, digital stethoscopes, otoscopes, and other specialized equipment empower doctors to make accurate diagnoses and initiate timely treatment plans without requiring patients to be physically present.

Enhanced Emergency Response 

Telemedicine carts, particularly specialized ones like telestroke carts, have revolutionized emergency care. In critical situations like strokes, every second counts. These carts empower healthcare teams to provide real-time assessment and collaboration, enabling them to make crucial decisions swiftly and effectively, ultimately saving lives.

Optimized Resource Utilization 

With these carts, specialists can virtually consult with patients from different locations, reducing the need for patients to travel or for healthcare professionals to be physically present. This optimizes time, reduces costs, and frees up resources that can be allocated to other critical areas.

Continuity of Care

Patients with chronic conditions or those recovering from procedures can receive seamless care while being treated from the comfort of their homes. Through virtual consultations, healthcare providers can monitor patients’ progress, address concerns, and make necessary adjustments to treatment plans, ensuring a continuous and consistent level of care.

Pandemic Preparedness & Infection Control 

The recent global health crisis emphasized the importance of minimizing in-person interactions to curb the spread of infectious diseases. Telemedicine carts exploded as a vital tool in pandemic preparedness, allowing healthcare providers to maintain essential services while minimizing the risk of exposure. While things like epidemics and pandemics are unpredictable, healthcare providers can stay safe from common colds and flu alike with these remote options. 

Streamlined Collaborative Care 

Telemedicine carts promote collaborative healthcare by enabling specialists from different disciplines to come together virtually to discuss cases, share insights, and make informed decisions. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive well-rounded and comprehensive care.

Posted on

5 Things To Consider When Choosing A Telehealth Workstation

5 things to consider when choosing a telehealth workstation

With the rapid advancement of telehealth technology, healthcare providers are embracing telehealth workstations as essential tools to deliver quality care remotely. These workstations provide a versatile and efficient platform for healthcare professionals to expand their service.

With many telehealth workstation options available today, how do facilities choose the right solution and implement it successfully? In this blog, we will explore five considerations to guide you in selecting the right telehealth workstation.

Ergonomics and Mobility

A telehealth workstation should prioritize ergonomics to support the comfort and well-being of healthcare professionals during telehealth sessions. Look for workstations with adjustable height features, ensuring compatibility with various healthcare settings and accommodating healthcare providers’ preferences. Additionally, prioritize mobility with workstations that offer smooth maneuverability, enabling healthcare professionals to move effortlessly between patient encounters.

DATACART™ features four telehealth carts and three telehealth kits, with many accessories to choose from. Our carts provide the ability to place your work materials down while also being able to take them with you anywhere throughout the day. Additionally, all of our carts feature adjustable monitor/table mounts, and seamless sit-to-stand capabilities.

Integration with Telehealth Technology

Ensure that the telehealth workstation seamlessly integrates with your preferred telehealth technology platforms and applications. Compatibility with video conferencing software, EHR systems, and other telehealth tools is essential for efficient communication and data management. DATACART™ products, renowned for their seamless integration capabilities, provide reliable compatibility with a wide range of telehealth software applications.

Audio and Video Capabilities

High-quality audio and video are essential for clear and effective telehealth consultations. Opt for workstations equipped with built-in speakers, microphones, and high-definition cameras. These features enhance communication between healthcare providers and patients, fostering a more engaging and comprehensive telehealth experience. 

Security and Privacy Measures

Protecting patient information is of utmost importance in telehealth consultations. Select workstations that prioritize data security and privacy. Look for features like secure login, encrypted data transmission, and compliance with industry standards such as HIPAA. DATACART™ telehealth carts ensure patient confidentiality and maintain compliance with healthcare regulations that are integrated within the actual design or customization of our carts. 

Storage and Organization

Efficient storage and organization of essential equipment and peripherals are vital for seamless telehealth consultations. Opt for workstations with ample storage space for accessories like medical devices, headsets, storage containers, and cables. Workstations with integrated cable management systems help maintain a clutter-free environment and minimize the risk of accidents.


Our DATACART™ telehealth carts can be fully customized to fit your facility’s needs and offer integrated cable management. They are ideal for providing cost-effective technology solutions to assist efficient and proper remote diagnosis in any clinical setting. Our company provides top-of-the-line telehealth carts that offer healthcare professionals the technology they require and desire. Contact us today to discuss telehealth carts and accessories that best fit your needs.

Posted on

How To Optimize Your Clinic’s Workflow

workflow optimization

As a healthcare professional, you want to provide the best possible care to your patients. However, the efficiency of your clinic’s workflow can have a significant impact on your ability to provide high-quality care. Health data and patient information are frequently segregated, unstructured, and challenging to access, which hinders efficient decision-making and creates workflow bottlenecks.

At the recent HIMSS 2023 conference, topics relating to optimization in health system efficiency and solutions to workflow challenges were heavily discussed. Research supports the idea that a well-optimized workflow can help save time, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction. In this blog, we’ll discuss some tips on how to optimize your clinic’s workflow.

medical workflow

Optimize Clinical Communication

According to a study published in the Journal of Healthcare Management, an average 500-bed hospital loses more than $4 million each year due to communication inefficiencies.

Integrations with leading electronic health records provide streamlined workflows, standardized processes, and smooth data transfers, unlocking greater potential to improve patient care. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of patients’ medical records. Using EHRs can help you streamline your workflow by reducing paperwork and manual data entry. EHRs can also help you track patient data over time, monitor clinical outcomes, and provide more accurate diagnoses.

In the United States, 1 in 4 hospitals still use pagers, and 90% still use fax machines. These technologies formerly made hospital communication simpler, but they are now obsolete for effective healthcare workflows.

Healthcare businesses now have access to quicker and more effective communication tools. Hospitals can further expedite processes and patient capacity, enhance patient safety, produce better clinical outcomes, and lower costs by bringing healthcare communication into the twenty-first century. 

Automate, Automate, Automate 

Data normalization and interoperability tools, along with cutting-edge health technology powered by AI and NLP, can offer crucial insights that can assist health administrators in reducing waste and inefficiencies while also enhancing the quality of care decisions. 

Enhanced patient automation and self-service through engagement outreach and accessible health content make care more personalized and optimize the time and efforts of clinical staff. Healthcare automation can go a step further and incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning processes.

Using an online appointment scheduling system can help you optimize your clinic’s workflow by reducing the time it takes to schedule appointments. Patients can book their appointments online, which eliminates the need for phone calls and reduces the risk of errors. Automated appointment scheduling can also help you manage your schedule more efficiently by allowing you to block off time slots for specific types of appointments.

Patient reminders can help you reduce missed appointments and improve patient outcomes. Using automated patient reminders can help you optimize your workflow by reducing the time it takes to send reminders. Automated reminders can also help you track patient compliance and improve patient satisfaction.

Healthcare automation gives patients the freedom to stay where they are most comfortable while enabling better diagnosis and monitoring. It also reduces the time and money needed for physical processes that can otherwise be automated, increasing resources to go into different areas. 

Telehealth Services & Training

Telehealth services can help you optimize your workflow by allowing you to see patients remotely. This can help you reduce the amount of time patients spend in your clinic, as well as, reduce the risk of infection. Telehealth services can also help you reach patients who live in remote or underserved areas.

Telehealth is widely used at many healthcare facilities and is starting to see many improvements. Telehealth utilization has stabilized at levels 38X higher than before the pandemic. The increased use of telehealth has created a need for healthcare professionals to receive adequate training to effectively and efficiently provide care through telehealth platforms. 

Workstations on Wheels (WoWs) have significantly improved healthcare ergonomics and optimization, which can help staff and patients alike. With increased mobility and efficiency at the top of the benefits list, medical facilities can accomplish their goals faster than ever. 

DATACART™’s telehealth carts and other medical computer carts are specifically made with our healthcare and IT specialists in mind. All our powered and non-powered carts are completely customizable and adjustable, and offer mobile storage for all professionals! 

Electronic Platforms to Increase Personalized Care

Advancements in medical technology and software allow clinical teams to detect and diagnose health complications earlier. As mentioned before, the use of AI and automated processes is extremely useful in healthcare, specifically in streamlining services and offering very personalized care. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) and Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), which use technology to monitor health indicators and identify potential problems, frequently make this possible.

Any change in a patient’s vital signs can be automatically reported by RPM technology. Clinical professionals can perform diagnostic procedures without upsetting the patient thanks to wearable technology like remote cardiac monitoring systems. Patients can perform these diagnostic tests at home when wearable technology and RPM are combined. When specific elements or symptoms are identified, the data is automatically logged and shared with doctors.

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are computer-based tools that help healthcare professionals make more informed clinical decisions. CDSS can help you optimize your workflow by providing you with real-time clinical data and treatment recommendations. This can help you make more accurate diagnoses, reduce errors, and improve patient outcomes.

Additionally, using electronic prescription refills can help you optimize your workflow by reducing the amount of time it takes to refill prescriptions. Electronic prescription refills can also help you reduce errors, track medication usage, and improve patient compliance.

Continuously Monitor & Improve Workflow

Optimizing your clinic’s workflow is an ongoing process. It’s important to monitor your workflow regularly and make adjustments as needed. This can help you identify areas for improvement and implement new strategies to streamline your workflow.

Standardizing processes is critical to ensuring the consistent delivery of healthcare services. It involves defining and implementing standard procedures, protocols, and guidelines for various clinical and administrative tasks.  

Healthcare providers should track key performance metrics such as patient wait times, appointment scheduling, work efficiency, care timeline, patient outcomes, and patient satisfaction. These metrics can provide insights into areas where workflows need improvement and help healthcare providers identify opportunities for process optimization. 

Posted on

The Continued Rise Of Telehealth In Schools

continue rise of telehealth in todays schools

Telemedicine refers to the use of video conferencing, phone calls, and texts to provide medical care remotely. It’s estimated that 80% of medical facilities now use some kind of telemedicine technology. At Uniti Health, the new focus is pushing telemedicine in K-12 schools.

In schools, telemedicine can be used to connect students and school staff with healthcare professionals for a variety of purposes, including diagnoses and treatment. Looking to the future of medicine, the increased accessibility of behavioral health, wellness, and concussion treatments is a game-changer.

How Will Telemedicine Work in Schools?

How schools will receive virtual care and what type of care they will receive depends on a school’s budget, current infrastructure, and core needs. Uniti Health works with schools to assess all these factors and give the best recommendations on telemedicine programs. Here are just a few ways that telemedicine may be used:

Virtual Visits

Students and school staff can use telemedicine to connect with healthcare providers for virtual visits. This can be especially useful for individuals who may not have access to healthcare facilities or those who prefer to receive care from the comfort of their own homes and school.

Having this access also gives parents the ability to approve their children’s care needs without leaving work. Students can receive quick answers and recommendations for minor issues or visit teleorthopedics if they get injured in practice. Telemedicine will become the new normal as more schools adopt programs into their systems.

Behavioral Health

Behavioral health care, including treatment for mental health, can be provided through virtual visits. Teletherapy or telebehavioral health can involve therapy sessions, psych evaluations, and medication monitoring. This gives a huge advantage to students who couldn’t readily receive behavioral health care otherwise.

Diagnoses

Some health concerns can be easily diagnosed just by telling a physician what your symptoms are. Getting health professionals to review student/staff symptoms and perform virtual exams reduces the time people have to wait to receive treatment and speeds up recovery time.

Although telemedicine is very accurate and reliable, it is noted for more serious health conditions like allergic reactions and shortness of breath, the patient should be taken to see urgent or emergency services as soon as possible.

Treatment

Depending on the condition being treated, telemedicine can provide ongoing treatment and follow-up care to students and school staff. This can include things like medication management, therapy sessions, diabetes management, and other forms of monitored care.

Students won’t need to take many trips from school to the doctor to home, instead, they can get diagnosed and prescribed treatment in one place before heading back to the comfort of their homes.

Telemedicine Cart Selection

Implementing telemedicine into schools means also looking into how to source these virtual visits efficiently around the school. DATACART is here to help with the best telehealth and telemedicine carts in the industry. When it comes to selecting the right telemedicine cart, there are some important factors to consider.

Key Factors for Cart Selection

You don’t need to be a licensed health professional to operate a medical cart. If you can operate a laptop or tablet, you can operate one of our medical carts. That is why we want to highlight some of the best key factors of our carts and give recommendations depending on what you’re looking for.

For in-school use, we recommend DATACART™ Small Form Factor (SFF) carts and smaller telemedicine carts. Here’s why:

Mobility

Schools and hospitals are similar because they host a lot of individuals all at once, usually in multiple different rooms across many floors. Being able to bring a cart around to different classrooms or pass them along easily from child to child is a huge advantage to have because there wouldn’t necessarily need to be a designated room for your telemedicine cart.

Compact Size and Small Footprint

With all the supplies and storage issues at schools, the small footprint and compact size of each medical cart make it hassle-free. SFF carts especially won’t take up a lot of space but all recommended carts are extremely easy to store.

Lightweight

The lightweight design of our carts makes it easy for teachers, nurses, and students alike to move or operate. Even with the added screens, tablets, or monitors, it is easily maneuverable for older children and adults.

Carts to Consider

Depending on what factors you are looking for, there are different carts and accessories to accommodate your needs. As mentioned before, each school’s budget and current infrastructure will be assessed, recommended, and trained on the corresponding telemedicine carts.

For smaller, tablet-focused carts we recommend:

For bigger, more equipment-based carts we recommend:

Additionally, if your school is looking for something more compact and discrete to work alongside the in-school nurses and counselors we recommend checking out our telehealth kits.

You can find a comprehensive list of telehealth/telemedicine carts here and more SFF carts here.

Takeaways

Overall, telehealth is becoming more integrated into K-12 schools than ever before. The benefits of easy and quick access are beneficial to everyone involved. Telemedicine will continue to be an essential part to ensure students and teachers alike receive proper healthcare needs, especially since schools are implementing more technology into their curriculum.

Contact DATACART for more information on our telehealth/telemedicine carts and accessories.

Posted on

How Telestroke Carts Save Time And Patients

telestroke carts saving time and patients

Experiencing a stroke, whether yourself or others, can be terrifying, stressful, and traumatizing. A stroke, explained by Mayo Clinic, occurs “when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes.” A stroke is a medical emergency that needs efficient and timely care.

The earlier appropriate actions are taken, the faster the rate of brain damage and other complications is decreased. This is where Telehealth and Telestroke carts come into play to help not only save time but also to help save patients.

What is Telestroke Healthcare?

Telestroke Healthcare is a web-based collaboration of on-site caretakers and a certified neurologist or whomever they choose to video-in. Telestroke Healthcare helps provide services for acute stroke patients in a variety of settings, including mobile stroke units, EDs, intensive care units (ICUs), and medical-surgical units, which do not have access to on-site stroke physician services. The combination of visual, audio and hands-on care comes together with Telestroke Healthcare to get each patient the specific help they need as quickly as possible.

How the Telestroke Cart Saves Patients

When dealing with patients who are experiencing a stroke, time is an extremely important element. With the advancement of telemedicine, patients can get the help they need quicker and easier than ever before. If a patient is experiencing a stroke and there is no neurologist on-site, our Telestroke Cart makes it possible to connect with a specialist via video call. Having access to a video call through our Telestroke Cart is not only more efficient but also quicker than having to transfer patients due to there being no neurologist on-site.

The Telestroke Cart also helps combine verbal and visual treatment – rather than just trying to help over the phone, the neurologist can physically see the patient and help determine the best next steps. With the DataCart Telestroke Cart, you have a PTZ Zoom Camera complete with a camera mount that comes right on the cart itself for high-quality, adaptable video treatment.

Mobility of care is another important element when caring for a patient with a time-sensitive emergency such as a stroke. Our Telestroke Cart allows for movement with the patient as needed, with the flexibility of being able to use the cart in the patients’ room and move with the patient as they need to be moved. The Telestroke Cart is not a location-specific tool, making it the perfect solution for patients’ needs on the go.

How the Telestroke Cart Saves Time

Aside from our Telestroke Cart saving time to get patients the necessary treatment needed, the timely treatment also allows patients to be released quicker and with less rehabilitative needs. This helps not only slim down the time the patient is spending in the hospital but also helps the patients and medical teams recover from the traumatic event quicker and more effectively.

Our Telestroke Cart is highly efficient, equipped, and advanced – complete with customization options including your choice of camera. For more information on the Telestroke Cart and how it can help save your facility time and patients, check out this resource provided by the American Heart Association.

Posted on

Combining Top Of The Line Software With World-Class Telestroke Carts

Combining Top Of The Line Software With World-Class Telestroke Carts

As telehealth continues to be an area of importance in the healthcare industry, so is the need to have the correct equipment and software that can be reliable to get the job done.

That relationship between physical equipment and software is a problem that many in our industry are trying to solve. While others in the industry choose to work independently and hope that their solutions sync later on down the pipeline, we have chosen to take a much more active approach in this marketplace, ensuring that we work with those providing the best software to ensure our customers are getting a solution made to solve problems, not create new ones.

With collaboration being an area of focus for DataCart™ to bring you the best of the best, we’d like to feature a company that is using DataCart’s workstation on wheels solutions to mobilize their software to create amazing patient/provider experiences and improve outcomes.

Optimized Telehealth Software Solutions

ITeT is a telehealth software company offering full-featured, no-code applications to rapidly and cost-effectively deliver solutions, not just products, to their customers. They understand that there is no one size fits all for telehealth. Using ITeT’s no code Admin Panel, features and functionality are enabled/disabled, plug-ins activated, integrated medical devices selected, and content easily managed.

ITeT telehealth solutions support virtual visits, remote patient monitoring (continuous and intermittent), chronic disease management, and specialty consults. They chose DataCart™ to offer a wide range of high-quality telemedicine carts and cases to meet specific customer needs.

“ITeT is all about giving customers solutions that are optimized for their business practices and preferences. DataCart™ supports our quest to deliver the right solutions to our clients.”

Brenda Ecken, ITeT Vice President

Best Practices For Mobilizing Software Using DataCart™’s Best-In-Class Workstation On Wheels Solutions

Providing quality healthcare is important, whether that’s in the office, through virtual visits, or out in the field. ITeT’s telehealth software combines its top-of-the-line platform with the multiple different workstations on wheels and telehealth solutions that DataCart™ offers so that whatever scenario you’re in, you can be confident in your equipment in both your software and physical equipment.

Virtual Patient Visits

When most people think of telehealth, virtual visits are what come to mind first. While it might seem simple on the surface to provide these solutions to patients, ensuring complicance and giving the provider the tools they need to easily track the visit all while providing a smooth experience for the patient requires a much more powerful and customizable telehealth solution than many realize.

With these regular check-ups happening more on a virtual basis, ITeT’s Doctor4U pairs extremely well with the different Telehealth carts from DataCart™ such as our Telestroke Cart. Both Doctor4U and the Telestroke Cart increase the patient’s satisfaction with virtual visits by utilizing the included Logitech 1080p camera on the cart creating a personal touch to virtual visits and eliminating the administrative hassles for both you and the patient.

Chronic Care Management And Home Care Monitoring

Healthcare doesn’t just stop at the office or over a virtual visit, the need for mobile telehealth solutions continues to rise and ITeT combines its Home Care Monitoring solutions with our Portable Telehealth Kits to provide the best to patients no matter the location.

Home Care Monitoring helps lower the number of readmissions and reduces the length of hospital stays for those who still need care but could do so from the comfort of their home. From measuring blood, pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, temperature, and ECG, to sharing images with patients, the portable telehealth kit is a top choice for providers using their Home Care Monitoring solution.

The combination of ITeT’s telehealth solutions and DataCart™’s computer carts and kits have made a positive impact on both the care providers and the patients that they serve. DataCart™’s high-quality craftsmanship, customer services, and USA label allow ITeT to offer customers a wide range of telehealth carts and kits that meet their specific needs which only solidifies the goal of delivering the best solutions to providers.

Posted on

Telehealth Used In Healthcare Continues To Grow But Is Your Facility Fit For It?

Telemedicine Technology Offices

Telehealth is going to be used in healthcare for years to come!

That is a fact that no one in the medical industry is going to debate. With the advancement in telemedicine technology and equipment, telehealth is becoming much easier and more affordable to do.

While the recent COVID-19 pandemic has launched how much telehealth is used in healthcare forward in terms of adoption by both patients and physicians, many facilities are being left behind because of decreasing budgets and having their energy focused on caring for COVID patients.

However, now that we are seeing some reprieve, it might be time to prepare your medical facility by looking at the latest telemedicine technology on the market.

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth is a term that describes the act of providing healthcare services to patients through technology instead of seeing them in your facility or practice. This differs slightly from the term “telemedicine” which describes providing patient care digitally like giving prescriptions are other treatments. While the terms telehealth and telemedicine differ slightly, they have the same goal: To provide care more quickly and effectively from anywhere to the people who need it most.

Is Your Facility Ready?

To better understand what your medical facility might need to implement an effective telehealth program, take note of these pieces of telehealth technology you might want to add to your budgets.

Equipment

While ‘equipment’ is a very broad category, it does really encompass every piece of telemedicine technology and equipment you might have to impact your program. Things you may want to consider include computers, PTZ cameras, medical devices, and of course, medical computer carts that will allow you to take this technology anywhere in the facility.

Ease for patients online

While you are looking into the equipment your team needs to have effective telehealth appointments, you also have to consider the process that the patients are going to go through. It is a good time to review the entire patient process from booking the appointment all the way through post-care and see where there might be a roadblock to making things easy. This may require you to make a couple of large process changes, but you will thank yourself later when patients see just how easy the process of telehealth used in healthcare is.

Rooms for staff to have appointments

Space is at an absolute premium in medical facilities, however, dedicated space for your team to take telehealth appointments is a must. While it might seem like a big ask in the beginning, you will quickly realize that dedicating space to virtual appointments will reduce the number of rooms needed per day and put much less of a strain on the space needed for care.

Is Your Staff Ready?

Getting all the telehealth technology and preparing the rest of the facility for telehealth is one thing. Making sure that your staff is trained and ready is another. While your team is likely a very intelligent one that has at least some experience using technology to do their charts and other things, telehealth is an entirely different ball game with a lot of things to learn!

Making sure your staff is trained and ready to go is another essential piece in preparing your program for telehealth used in healthcare.

Equipment

New equipment means new questions to answer and new things that your IT and technology team are going to have to deal with. Trying to make sure your team is as trained as possible on the new equipment they are going to be using is crucial to making your program start smoothly.

Software

Along with new equipment comes new software to learn and understand. While there are many telehealth systems that are out there today to make this easier, it is important to pick the right one for you that has a key focus on training.

While there is always going to be a focus on in-person primary care, you will be amazed how much strain you can take off your team with a telehealth program.

Investing in the right telemedicine technology and training is going to be crucial to the success of your program, if you haven’t already, be sure to see what things are out there and how they can be best applied to your facility.

So what do you think? Are you ready?

Posted on

What is Telehealth Nursing?

What is Telehealth Nursing

While the entire medical industry has changed quite a bit over the last few years, the world of nursing has probably changed the most drastically and will continue to here in 2022.

While there are a ton of changes that should be talked about, we are going to focus on just one for this article – the emergence of telehealth nursing.

Telehealth might be a new term for many, so what does telehealth mean? Simply put, it is the action of providing care and advice while the provider and patient are not in the same room together. While most of us think that this primarily has impacted doctors, nurses are also now being asked to do much of their job via telehealth.

So how does this work and how can healthcare facilities make sure they are prepared to make this an easy process for nurses?

What is Telehealth Nursing?

While we have already defined what telehealth is, let’s talk about what it specifically means for nurses.

Nurses play such an important and critical role in our healthcare system. They are often the first and last person that a patient sees when they enter your facility for either a simple well appointment or for something much more specific. They are responsible for taking the initial notes about the patient, as well as checking the simple vital signs and triaging them so that the doctors can do their job more effectively

Now when it comes to telehealth, much of this stays the same. Nurses can now do the initial questioning of telehealth patients, ask about their symptoms, and make sure that your team has all the information before a telehealth appointment.

But it doesn’t stop there. Telehealth nursing also encompasses nurses’ lines where nurses are on call and can answer simple questions about medications, treatment plans, or symptoms so that the patients can get the information they need without needing a full appointment with a doctor as nurses are also trained to answer most medical-related questions. This takes the pressure off the doctors and allows nurses to provide amazing care to patients that might not need a full medical appointment.

Why Is Telehealth Nursing Important and What Are The Advantages?

The emergence of telehealth nursing is incredibly important in today’s medical world and has many advantages not just for your facility, but also for doctors, patients, and the nurses themselves.

COVID-19 Environment

The first clear advantage in today’s environment is with COVID-19 treatment. Most questions that patients have about COVID-19 can be answered by a nurse. This allows the patients to get much quicker answers to their questions without needing to come into your facility and possibly spread more infections.

On the opposite side. Telehealth nursing allows nurses that have tested positive for COVID-19 and cannot yet return to work to still contribute to the facility while still being able to quarantine and recover at home.

Easy Access To Help and Mobility

Both of these advantages during today’s COVID-19 environment don’t stop with the pandemic. The core advantages of easy access and being mobile with telehealth visits are still advantageous that will last long past the pandemic.

Studies have shown that 20% of all hospital visits could have been solved via telehealth. While that might not seem like a big number, reducing the number of patients by 20% could make or break a facility during busy times. For the patient, that means a far smaller hospital bill than they would have received with a trip to the ER while not losing anything in the way of their outcome.

Furthermore, telehealth nursing gives facilities access to different tools they might not have had before because nurses could answer patients’ questions from almost anywhere. This helps assist with things such as the nursing shortages we are seeing today. Overall, this means more resources and faster answers for patients with less of a strain on your facility’s resources.

What Technology Is Needed Or Useful In Telehealth Nursing?

While telehealth nursing seems like a no-brainer, it is not something that you can just start today without investing in the right technology to make the jobs of the nurses involved easier.

Telemedicine Exam Kits

One innovative solution that we are offering is our Telemedicine Exam Kits. These kits are specifically useful for home healthcare nurses and others that are on the move and visiting patients outside the facility. Making sure nurses have everything needed to be successful with their patient in one kit while also having the added benefit of telehealth technology helps them get the resources that they need in case they have an additional question out in the field.

Another application might be for places such as prisons, or retirement homes where they do not have instant access to a full medical team. Having a kit with a nurse on the other side of the line ready to ask questions could be a vital tool in making sure patients get the care they need.

Investing in your overall telehealth technology and program is also a great way to make sure not only nurses but your entire medical team have the technology they need to make patient care easier and reduce the number of people in your facility each day. We do this by helping you create medical technology carts that are unique to you and the needs of your patients!

Posted on

Taking Healthcare To The Next Level With Telehealth

Taking Healthcare to the next level

It is amazing to see how far telehealth has come over the last few years.

Back before the COVID-19 pandemic, the telehealth industry was the “wild west” where there really were no rules that were set in stone. While many healthcare facilities have some telehealth programs and policies in place, they were not fully formed and doctors were tasked with doing telemedicine in the best ways that they knew how.

Fast forward 2 years and now telehealth has become a permanent staple of the medical industry. Patients are now able to see a medical professional right from the comfort of their own home saving both, them and the care provider, time and money.

With the advancement and advantages of telehealth, came the advancement of the technology used by healthcare facilities. We have seen it ourselves with our medical carts and how facilities are fully customizing them to make their telehealth programs even better and take their technology anywhere.

And when we say taking telehealth anywhere, we mean ANYWHERE! One of the products that customers new and old inquire about the most is our new Mobile Telemedicine Exam Kits produced in partnership with Care On Location.

These telemedicine kits have many amazing benefits that allow them to solve problems in healthcare that were previously thought to be unsolvable.

Mobile Telemedicine Exam Kits

Top Benefits Of The Telehealth Kit

So what are the top benefits of using mobile telehealth kits and adding them to your technology stack?

Mobility

Most obviously, having the ability to take telehealth anywhere is one of the biggest benefits of mobile telehealth kits. So many times in healthcare, patient outcomes can vary dramatically just because of how quickly care can be administered. Increased mobility of your telehealth program allows those who might not have easy access to care, to get what they need much quicker, even in the toughest of conditions. The kit can also be combined with a quick-release tripod backpack enabling it to be carried and set up anywhere.

Usability

While it is possible to still bring telemedicine solutions with you on the go without a kit, having a neat, organized, and secure way to transport technology and other life-saving items makes mobile telehealth that much more effective.

Cost-Effectiveness

While some others offer similar solutions in the market, the pricing on our telehealth kits allows you to make a smart investment into your telehealth offering.

Operations

If you have an already existing telehealth program at your medical facility. Telemedicine kits are the perfect addition to round out your offering and bring another new element to how you can increase patient care and outcomes.

Use Models For The Telehealth Kit

While all of this might sound good to you, you might be asking yourself exactly how telehealth kits can be implemented into real-world scenarios. Here are just some of the ways our customers are currently using our telehealth kits and while not all of them might apply to you, there may be some inspiration to show you just how valuable they can be.

Community Health Workers

Many clinics around the world are recognizing that they are unable to fully reach their patients through their brick-and-mortar locations. Community health workers are being trained to take healthcare to the patient and provide simple services such as educating patients about disease, perform health screenings, promote health practices, and linking patients into services. These front-line workers provide needed services to areas where health disparities are the greatest. Mobile Telehealth Kits add a next-level capability to community health workers, enabling them to be the eyes and ears of medical staff.

Homeless Populations

One of the biggest hurdles in providing care to the homeless population is the ability to get them to a facility for care. A lack of transportation alongside a general fear of medical invention in this population makes providing care even more difficult. Mobile Telehealth Kits allow medical professionals to meet them where they are and provide the care that these people desperately need to treat both physical and mental health conditions.

Prison Systems

Medical teams at prison facilities deal with an extremely unique set of circumstances including high patient-to-care provider ratios, fewer resources and funding, and dangerous circumstances that don’t always allow them to provide the care a patient might need. Telemedicine kits can assist by getting these care providers access to experts that can help them with particularly difficult cases or for specialists to weigh on complex cases without having to transport the prisoner.

Worksite Injuries

When an injury occurs on a worksite, time could be of the essence. Depending on the specific injury or work being done, get quick access to an expert and be a challenge. Having access to a professional quickly who can help assess an injury and proper next steps can prevent possible complications before they start.

Search and Rescue Operations

Many of these operations happen in rough terrain far from any form of civilization let alone a medical facility. Having mobile kits that are easy to carry and can withstand the elements can give search and rescue teams access to resources that they could have never dreamed of before. Imagine a doctor in New York being able to assess a hiker in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and make sure that the team at the scene has the best information to keep that person safe.

Lady caring for hiker

As you can see, there are so many ways to implement Mobile Telemedicine Exam Kits. We are proud to be offering a solution that will allow patients everywhere to get the care that they need quickly and to make it as easy as possible for the teams administering care.

If you want to learn more about our Mobile Telemedicine Exam Kits, contact us today!

Posted on

Advantages of Telemedicine: Taking Healthcare to the Patient

Various types of telemedicine solutions in healthcare

There is one thing for certain – technology has made the world incredibly small. 

And there might not be an industry that has benefited from this fact more than the healthcare industry. Technology has allowed our healthcare facilities to access information that we once thought impossible, it has allowed us to connect with patients in new ways, and provide solutions and expertise to patients across the globe.

This is Telemedicine. 

Telemedicine is rapidly changing the healthcare industry, so it is important to consider these advantages for your facilities so that you can make the proper investments now before you are forced to play catch up

Telemedicine is More Convenience 

We all know the convenience of telemedicine for patients, but convenience is an advantage that healthcare professionals realize as well. 

It is estimated that nearly 75% of Urgent Care and  ER visits are either unnecessary or could be handled safely and effectively over the phone or video, according to statistics from the American Medical Association and Wellness Council of America

Having this reduction of in-person visits reduces the stress on the entire healthcare staff and makes it much easier for them to treat the patients that really need care. It reduces the amount of time that they spend on their feet, keeping energy levels higher and keeping fatigue at bay. 

On the other side of the convenience advantage – With telemedicine, you are able to take the healthcare professionals to the patient. With a product like a mobile telemedicine exam kit, you can service a broad area of individuals by bringing their needs to them when needed. 

Telemedicine Saves Time

Healthcare facilities and professionals are under a lot of pressure to reduce the amount of time being spent with patients in order to see more individuals in a day. One way to do this without reducing the quality of care is through the use of telemedicine.

Studies have shown that the average visit with a doctor lasts approximately 17.4 minutes. On average, physicians that use telemedicine saw a reduction in that time by 20%. While that might not seem like a big number, it can add up over time allowing physicians to either see more patients or increase the quality of the care being provided. 

These appointments are shorter for a few reasons. For one, telemedicine appointments tend to be more focused with less chit-chat. Doctors also have access to all patients’ information directly in front of them at all times, making it easier to reference, and finally the simple fact that they do not need to jump from room to room shaves off a few minutes as well. 

Over the course of the year, think about those implications for your facilities. 

Telemedicine Makes for Better Assessments 

It may seem like a surprise, but telemedicine appointments tend to create better assessments than their in-person counterparts.

It all comes down to focus. While a Physician might not have access to all the tools they would typically use in a standard office setting, they are able to ask a lot more clarifying questions that might help them get to the answer that they need.

Also, your physicians can get more of a “lay of the land” of someone’s home or get other information that may end up making a large difference in the assessment and potential diagnosis.

This is particularly important in the field of mental health. A trained professional might be able to assess things going on around the patient that might be helpful in assisting them. In addition, they might be able to get a better assessment at the time of the issue instead of having that person try to remember how they were feeling or what was happening.

Telemedicine Increases Access to Specialists

One of the biggest advantages of telemedicine for both patients and facilities is having easy access to specialists from around the globe. By implementing telemedicine, you expand the knowledge base of your entire team and you let your patient know that you are getting them the best information possible. 

Telemedicine Increases Cost Savings

Let’s talk about the bottom line. Earlier, we talked about how the time that is saved via a telemedicine appointment can allow a physician to see more patients in a day. While this is a great advantage, the inverse, reducing expenses, is also true!

While telemedicine does require some level of initial investment, such as a telemedicine cart or telemedicine exam kit, the long-term savings will surpass it over time. 

These savings come in many forms from the use of equipment (gloves, masks, etc.), reducing the total number of beds being taken at any given time, and just making the overall healthcare system move much more efficiently. 

Overall, there are a ton of incredible advantages to care providers who use and invest in telemedicine. Regardless of these advantages, telemedicine is becoming the future of healthcare and it is important for healthcare providers to invest early in this technology so they can experience the true advantage of it for themselves!