Outcomes of an Integrated Telehealth Network Demonstration Project

Abstract

An integrated telehealth network that linked three hospitals, a federally qualified health care clinic with six sites, a county dental clinic, and patient homes was developed and implemented using both private and federal funding. The goal of the network was to deliver 10 different medical, dental, and behavioral health services to a rural community. The network served patients from nine different counties and two states. Outcomes from the disease management programs for congestive heart failure and diabetes, as well as crisis telehealth and teledental health, were reported. Results for the diabetes disease management program increased the number of diabetics who brought their blood sugar under control. Additionally, based on hospital days per patient per year with and without intervention, and the cost of intervention by telehealth, it was projected that the national cost of care for CHF hospitalizations could be reduced from 8 billion dollars to 4.2 billion dollars. This telehealth network can serve as a model for integrating health services in each county of the state. Once each county had an integrated telehealth network, the county networks could be linked to provide regional services and coordination on a statewide basis.

Economic Evaluation of Manitoba Health Lines in the Management of Congestive Heart Failure

“…21 The questions asked of each jurisdiction were: • Is there a home telehealth care program currently available in your jurisdiction?…”

Academic Health Center Management of Chronic Diseases through Knowledge Networks: Project ECHO

“…17 Through the use of state-of-the-art technology and best practices for the management of such diseases, substantially improved outcomes in quality of life, cost-effectiveness of care, and survival can be achieved. 18,19 Project ECHO addresses the aforementioned six core characteristics of diseases amenable to treatment via knowledge networks through four major avenues. The first of these avenues is the use of telemedicine to maximize scarce specialty health care resources.…”

Rural Outreach in Home Telehealth: Assessing Challenges and Reviewing Successes

“…These findings are further supported by other programs that have recognized the significant benefits and cost savings from providing home telehealth. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Yet, fewer than 200 home health programs currently use telemedicine. 13 Even fewer of these programs exist in rural communities that have even more to gain from this technology.…”