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Aug232018

Clearing the Hurdles Part I: A Guide to Setting Up a Telemedicine Program in Your Hospital

General, Staffing, TelemedicineBy Ed Bonn August 23, 2018

Many U.S. hospitals are realizing strong returns on their investments in telemedicine. Staffing gaps are filled, patient transfers are reduced, and Leapfrog scores as well as other metrics are on the uptick. And by the way, their staffing costs have gone down. Despite the success stories, other hospitals struggle, for a variety of reasons, over the question of whether to implement telemedicine. In this new series of blog posts, we’ll cover the strategic and tactical challenges that often arise when a hospital is considering a telemedicine program, and we’ll offer tips on how to meet them. In this first installment, we discuss some of the strategic challenges involved in making the case for telemedicine and encouraging its adoption by a hospital or health system.

Jul232018

What Makes a Good Telemedicine Physician? Three Essential Qualities

Clinical Performance Management, Hospitalists, Staffing, TelemedicineBy Dr. Mac McCormick July 23, 2018

Solid technology is the foundation of any successful telemedicine program, but there is another vital factor, of course: physicians. At Eagle, we hear a lot of praise for the ones who are part of our team, for their ability to make a personal connection with patients, families, and staff―no matter how great the geographical distance between them. That connection doesn’t happen by accident.

Jun52018

The Outmigration Dilemma: How to Stem the Tide of Transfers from Rural Hospitals

Healthcare Trends, Hospitalists, Staffing, Telecardiology, TeleneurologyBy Dr. Mac McCormick June 5, 2018

Telemedicine is a rewarding field to be in for many reasons. We make healthcare easier to access for patients and their families. We’re saving doctors from burnout. We help hospitals find a sustainable solution to complex challenges. It’s extremely gratifying to be part of an industry that does so much good. Take, for example, the recent upsurge in the number of rural county hospital leaders who raise legitimate concerns about patient transfers and don’t know how to stop the outflow, or “outmigration” as we’ve heard it referred to.

May172018

Tele-ICU Eases Stress on Intensivists, Boosts Census and Leapfrog Scores

Leapfrog Standards, Tele-ICU, TelemedicineBy Dr. Mac McCormick May 17, 2018

Telemedicine’s value to hospitals is demonstrated every day. In Emergency Departments (EDs), where stroke patients get the timely treatment they need in their local community hospitals without having to be transferred to a distant referral hospital. On the floor, where rounding stays on a timely schedule. In the boardroom, where examples of patient and staff satisfaction, as well as bottom-line benefits, are frequently heard. The ICU is another area where telemedicine is significantly changing how healthcare is delivered―for the better.

Apr52018

Considering Telemedicine? Don’t Wait For a Crisis

Healthcare Trends, TelemedicineBy Dr. Mac McCormick April 5, 2018

With our history of providing telemedicine services to hospitals for nearly a decade, it’s interesting to see the change in the industry, the growing acceptance of telemedicine by patients, providers and—slowly but surely—payers. It’s also interesting to observe the changes in how we talk about what we do. Ten years ago, we spent much of our time talking with hospital executives about why they needed us. Today, it’s more a question of when.

Mar192018

Telehealth vs. Telemedicine: Does the Difference Matter?

General, Healthcare Trends, TelemedicineBy Dr. Mac McCormick March 19, 2018

You’ve probably seen and heard the terms “telehealth” and “telemedicine” used interchangeably these days, both online and in conversation. It doesn’t matter whether the source is a physician or other healthcare professional or Jane or John Doe. The line between these terms is blurring. Nonetheless, there is a distinction.

Feb152018

Preparing a Patient for Telemedicine: An Onsite Clinician’s View

Critical Access Hospital, General, NP/PA Backup, Staffing, TelemedicineBy Rebecca Carter, APRN February 15, 2018

Telemedicine’s acceptance among patients and providers is rapidly growing across the country. Many factors have made it possible: the quality and value of programs like Eagle’s, the dependable “always on” technology that can deliver physician expertise to hospitals anywhere, and the widespread acceptance of technological devices in our lives today. All these things have helped make telemedicine a sensible choice for more and more hospitals.

Jan242018

Texas’ Turnabout on Telemedicine: A Firsthand Perspective

General, Healthcare Trends, TelemedicineBy Jill Thompson January 24, 2018

What’s so great about Texas? A lot, quite frankly. Especially when it comes to the growth of telemedicine. (And I’m not just saying that because I’m a lifelong Texan.)

Jan122018

2018: Expect the Best Year Yet for Inpatient Telemedicine

General, Healthcare Trends, Long-Term Acute Care, LTACH, Micro-hospital, TelemedicineBy Dr. Mac McCormick January 12, 2018

Healthcare publication editors frequently ask for my predictions about inpatient telemedicine in the coming year. You may have seen one of those guest posts published last month in Electronic Health Reporter. I’ve recapped the predictions below, but to sum them up in one line: It’s going to be another good year for telemedicine―perhaps the best yet. Momentum has been building for the increased acceptance of telemedicine in the hospital setting.

Dec272017

2017: A Good Year for Telemedicine

Healthcare Trends, Long-Term Acute Care, Micro-hospital, Tele-ICU, Telecardiology, Telemedicine, Teleneurology, Telenocturnist, Telepsychiatry, TelePulmonologyBy Dr. Mac McCormick December 27, 2017

This same time last year I wrote about the growing acceptance of telemedicine, but in looking back at 2017, I believe “acceptance” is no longer the right word. It’s more accurate to say that hospitals, providers and patients are embracing telemedicine with gusto. It’s a solution for many of today’s most pressing challenges.

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