System Analysis

Tele-health is an attractive solution in medical care with a potential to make a significant difference to patient’s life. These digital health tools are devised with the aim to ease the medical facilities and its accessibility in the remote areas. It reduces the need for face-to-face visits by exchange of medical information via video conferencing, emails and other sophisticated telecommunication technology to address the health crisis with timely intervention. Consequently, it will improve the delivery of high quality services in remote communities. The Tunstall’s “Integrated Care Platform” (ICP) supports the patients by remote monitoring of vital signs and chronic healthcare conditions from home. Thus, it is useful in minimizing unplanned medical visits.

The report deals with the integration of Tunstall’s telehealth monitoring equipment and other cloud-based mobile applications for the rural population in the central west of NSW and discusses its outcomes.

Identified Problem

New South Wales (NSW) is the sparsely populated area. The critical problem in remote locations is the limited accessibility to high quality medical services. Health facilities related to nutrition, diabetes, mental health and other chronic condition remains poor in rural communities of NSW (Malone et al., 2014). People have to travel distances for treatment and delay in which leads to fatal consequences. Aboriginal people continue to have inferior health outcomes due to remoteness and consistent presence of socioeconomic determinants such as employment, housing, education. Patients with chronic conditions usually undergo long-term care services which include strict monitoring of vital signs (Malone et al., 2014). Unfamiliar hospital environment and lack of home like care decrease self-esteem and confidence in patients.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to overcome barriers to health care in rural communities. Telehealth services are the fundamental solution to older adults dwelling in remote locations of NSW. One such service with increasing popularity is Tunstall’s “Integrated Care Platform” (ICP). 

Product Capabilities

Tunstall’s ICP solution offers medical services to patients by remote monitoring of the-

• Vital signs and chronic healthcare conditions from home
• Collection of patient history
• Client and program reporting
• Audit trials of clinical activity on the system
• Making changes to patients monitors (peripherals or interview) (Chow et al., 2016).

This Service has Various Components

• my clinic telehealth hubs
• ICP triage manager
• ICP video conferencing and mobile app
• the upcoming app, “ICP care” (Nicdao et al., 2016) 

It functions by collecting patient’s health information through telehealth hub- “clinic” on a regular basis. It is further transmitted for clinician’s review to the “triage monitoring center” and plan intervention accordingly (Tunstall Healthcare, 2016).

Intervention includes clinical coaching, nurse’s visit, consultation and communication via video conferencing irrespective of location. It contains web portal which generates a detailed clinical records of patient and medium of communication between clinicians and patients. This facility is available for wide range of chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis (Wade & Shaw, 2012).

Patient Education

Remote residents are supplied with tablets and phones. Cloud based interaction among patients is enhanced by a training team that helps patients install the app and help fit into their daily routines. Patients are trained to use smart devices and touch screens. Specialized professionals are recruited for training people with learning and motor disabilities. Patients are taught to capture their vital signs and complete questionnaires prompted by phones.  Training includes increasing awareness and usage by providing guidelines (Chow et al., 2016). Stakeholders are making efforts to enhance health outcomes by engaging in-

• Towmsville Mackay Medicare Local Diabetes In-Home Management Trial
• DVD CVC in-home telemonitoring for veterans trial (Tunstall Healthcare, 2016)

Product Benefits

• Tunstall’s ICP solution is user friendly and is reliable. It can be easily accessed via web portal such as mycare portal or ICP reporting portal any time
• It can be used as mobile application and in any other internet enabled device without the need of additional software
• Patients in remote areas can consult physicians via video conferencing (“ICP video conferencing and my mobile app”) and assess their vital signs
• Allows timely intervention and minimizes health risks
• Additionally, it is highly preferred by patients as it eliminates the need of extended stay in hospital. Patients enjoy medical services with family and friends at home (Wade & Shaw, 2012).

Conclusion

The literature review provides evidence related to increasing acceptance of telehealth option among patients in remote areas. Patients are better understanding their own health status which in turn is increasing their self confidence and improving their self management skills. Other similar services recommended for NSW include telemedicine and implementation of Electronic Medical health Records system in rural hospitals. 

References

Chow, J., Donaldson, P., Fortnum, D., Frasca, S., Grimley, K., Hyde, C., … & Simmonds, R. (2016). Beyond dialysis-telehealth initiatives. Renal Society of Australasia Journal, 12(1), 18.

Malone, L. M., Anderson, J. K., & Anderson, L. M. J. (2014). The right staffing mix for inpatient care in rural multi-purpose service health facilities.Rural and remote health, 14(2881).

Nicdao, M. A., Kim, J., Baldacchino, T., Jung, Y. H., Mikaheal, M., Patekar, A., & Sud, K. (2016). ‘My Home Hemo’app-a new telehealth tool for remote monitoring of patients on home haemodialysis. Renal Society of Australasia Journal, 12(2), 41.

Tunstall Healthcare,. (2016). Tunstall Healthcare. Tunstallhealthcare.com.au. Retrieved 5 August 2016, from http://www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au/

Wade, R., Cartwright, C. M., & Shaw, K. A. (2012). Factors relating to home telehealth acceptance and usage compliance. Risk management and healthcare policy, 5, 25.

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