In recent years, the biggest challenge that Happy Kids, a six-clinic pediatrics clinic based in Phoenix, Arizona, has faced has been an adverse loss in business. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient numbers dropped by almost 40% at the worst.
PROBLEM
The practice has been on a pathetic path. The situation – with the same costs and not enough patients – will force the practice to close. Staff have all the authority to see their patients, but many are too scared to go out in public or enter the clinic.
“The worst part of this situation is that our patients lose access to healthcare, affecting their health because they don’t get regular care such as treatment for an acute illness, health prevention and management of chronic diseases”, Dr. Jose Francisco Carrazco, founder. by Happy Kids.
He continued: “The health of our patients is at stake, especially the high-risk population. “Telehealth technology has opened the door to new hope that we will survive and that we will be able to serve the needs of our patients safely and conveniently.”
Before COVID-19, many patients struggled with transportation and other obstacles. With telehealth technology, they can be monitored from the comfort of their own home and risk-free in the hallways.
“Telehealth technology also saves a lot of work,” explains Carrazco. “We were able to maintain our staff. The demand has grown so much that we can even grow by increasing our workforce.
“Telehealth has provided a more efficient platform that allows us to invest in other areas, such as our call center,” he added. “We can focus more on filling care gaps by increasing access to our high-risk members.”
Telehealth provides the perfect platform to deal with simple but very important things, such as test results, refills and follow-up care, he said.
“For example, a member who was recently discharged from the hospital without a follow-up with their primary care physician within a week is more likely to be hospitalized soon after,” Carrazco notes. “By preventing hospitalizations, we can reduce the burden on the industry because of this high cost of healthcare. The best part is that we can ensure that the patient’s treatment plan is reinforced. and the plan was successfully executed.
“The bottom line is that tele-catalysts provide efficient access to quality healthcare.”
Dr. Jose Francisco Carrazco, Happy Kids
Furthermore, we are able to monitor progress and effectively adjust patient care plans and regimens as needed to ensure more optimal health outcomes. “The bottom line is that tele-catalysts provide efficient access to quality healthcare.”
SUGGESTIONS
Equality Health is Happy Kids’ value-based care partner.
It helps practice with a range of technologies and services, including: helping negotiate contracts with major Medicaid payers; take the risk and provide prepayments so that there is practically no lengthy transfer process; provide a dedicated performing practice manager who helps practitioners access social determinants of health (SDOH) such as housing, food, and transportation; and provides the Care Empower technology platform, which helps it track patient numbers and report new VBC quality metrics.
“The Care Empower platform includes a telehealth solution, and that’s the technology we’ve used to help us win back patients and increase access to healthcare with safe and secure virtual care. easy to use,” said Carrazco.
He continued: “Not everyone has the privilege of owning a computer or accessing the internet, but most people have a smartphone. “Some are lucky enough to have a tablet. Telehealth technology can be accessed by any of these means at no additional cost.”
If anything, telehealth saves time and money by eliminating transportation — not to mention the convenience that comes with telemedicine, he added. The only consumption is bandwidth, with minimal overhead.
Carrazco notes: “Another benefit of telehealth is time. “In most cases, time is more valuable than money. Imagine saving time in commuting, waiting in the hallways, and those extras that take you back in time to a traditional visit. document.
“Access to health care via telehealth will [remove] “It’s convenient, it works, and our patients love it,” he added.
MARKET
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CHALLENGE MIX ONLY
The telemedicine technology that Happy Kids uses is Zoom that is HIPAA compliant and comes with Equal Health services. It is connected to the EHR from eClinicalWorks as well as the Care Empower platform.
This technology is accessible via smartphone or tablet. After logging into a secure account, the patient is ready to use.
“Medical assistants prepare appointments in advance via phone call to answer all necessary questions such as verifying demographics, matching medications, viewing health history including concerns health and add the necessary samples to the supplier,” explained Carrazco. “The patient is then provided with a link via text and/or email.
“After a patient clicks a link from their computer, smartphone or tablet, they are taken into a virtual waiting room, where they are admitted to the provider,” he continued. “They are instantly connected via video conferencing with audio and microphone to the provider where their concerns are addressed.”
This allows the provider to provide treatment, reassurance and supportive care, he added. All medications and orders such as radiology or lab are transferred electronically.
RESULT
The biggest achievement through this new workflow is increased productivity. Most of the patients who visited whose practice was missed were recovered. Patients say they love the convenience and ease of use. Providers can see more patients in less time.
“Telehealth currently accounts for about 25% of our visits,” Carrazco reports. “Before the pandemic, we had an average of 1,800 to 2,000 visits per week. After integrating telehealth technology, we are seeing closer to 2,600 patients per week, of which there are about 600 visits. virtual.
He added: “Drug adherence, chronic care management follow-up and lab attendance have improved significantly, thus enhancing our performance in the price-based care model. treat”.
TIPS FOR OTHER PEOPLE
“Be open to and embrace technology,” advises Carrazco. “Like anything else in life, we must grow in order to succeed and grow. We don’t have to endure increasing difficulties to do so. Technology was developed to leverage and grow. enhance what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Twitter: @SiwickiHealthIT
Email the writer: [email protected]
Healthcare IT News is a publication of HIMSS Media.
