Telehealth and telemedicine can help eliminate the difficulties caused by distance in the provision of healthcare. It is sometimes referred to as ‘remote home health monitoring’. The connection provided by telehealth is what allows individuals to remain in their familiar home environment.

Telehealth and telemedicine can have a particularly favourable impact on certain population groups such as the elderly or those living in rural locations where access to suitable transportation is frequently an issue. Other patient groups that have been identified as having benefited include those suffering from Diabetes, Heart failure, and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD).

Telehealth and telemedicine can help move the focus of care from hospitals into the home, preventing unnecessary trips to A&E and reducing hospitalizations of patients with chronic diseases. The technology enables providers to intervene ahead of acute events such as a heart failure, and can also improve compliance with a patient’s treatment program, for instance with medication reminders. In some cases the need for home visits can be reduced.

Telehealth and telemedicine are often used as all-encompassing, interchangeable terms for anything related to the provision of healthcare at a distance. However the terms can be divided into two distinct categories, though not everyone uses the same terminology, and some equipment integrates a combination of the two.

Telemedicine

What is generally referred to as 'telemedicine' involves the transmission of real time audio and video images between doctor and patient. This allows a doctor or healthcare worker to engage in a ‘tele-consultation’ with a patient. It can include the patient having equipment from which to take his/her own readings which can be transmitted to the clinician during the consultation to be assessed. Telemedicine can also be used between health care workers in different locations, for instance if one has expertise in a specific area.

Telehealth 

Telehealth involves the generation, transmission and analysis of physiological data from the patient to clinician when both are in different locations. This allows patients from the convenience of the home to check their vital signs using devices such as blood pressure cuffs, glucometers for diabetics, and home spirometry testing for patients with COPD or asthma. The readings can be taken regularly and are transmitted remotely to a care provider in the clinical setting or alternatively to a telehealth service provider such as TASK Community Care, who can monitor the readings on behalf of the individual or care provider. By remotely monitoring patients’ vital signs on a daily basis, more timely care decisions can be made.

Benefits to patients are often significant and can include a sense of empowerment through increased self-management of their condition. Many individuals feel reassured by the knowledge that monitoring nurses are on hand if necessary, and will call if things are not as they should be. Telehealth has therefore the potential to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, while also being cost effective.

Our Services

Various types of telehealth equipment are available from an ever increasing number of suppliers and TASK Community Care can assist in your decision concerning which system to employ. We can provide guidance on which type of devices are available, specifications, cost and important issues such as ease of use for patients. In addition, we can help identify whether or not technical issues are likely to arise, for instance with telephone infrastructure and connections.

Your telehealth equipment can be purchased directly from TASK Community Care, and we can assist in training, installation, technical support and maintenance.  A short trial using the equipment will be possible in certain cases, giving you the opportunity to test for suitability and functionality prior to implementing a pilot or complete telehealth/telemedicine program. We also offer around the clock, out-of-hours, or backup monitoring services to care providers and private clients. With a solid reputation spanning over 30 years within Ireland's healthcare sector, you can be confident of our advice, product reliability and after sales support.

To discuss your requirements in confidence please contact us.