Tele-Pulmonology is breathing new life into inpatient care as one of the fastest-growing inpatient telemedicine specialties. With chronic lung conditions and respiratory emergencies on the rise, hospitals are under increasing pressure to deliver specialized care around the clock. Yet, like many specialties, recruiting and retaining full-time pulmonologists is a costly and often unrealistic endeavor.
That’s where Tele-Pulmonology comes in. Hospitals with telemedicine services now have virtual access to board-certified and vetted pulmonologists. Tele-Pulmonology is reshaping the way inpatient and emergency care is delivered across the country. The CDC found that 73.1% of medical specialists were able to provide similar quality of care during telemedicine visits, which is why telemedicine services are on the rise.
Due to a combination of factors, including the increasing demand for specialty providers, the impact of additional support, and the scalability of the solution, telemedicine has become the new standard within hospital services.
Why Demand for Pulmonary Care Is Rising
The demand for pulmonology services is increasing nationwide, driven by a combination of demographic shifts, the prevalence of chronic diseases, and geographic disparities in care. As the population ages, more patients are presenting with complications from conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia, many of which require specialist oversight. The impact on rural hospitals is especially acute, as they often serve older populations with limited local access to specialty care and some of the highest smoking rates in the country.
According to the CDC, the age-adjusted prevalence of COPD exceeds 7% in 13 states, including Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Many of these same states also report adult smoking rates above 18%, further contributing to the burden of chronic lung disease. Asthma mirrors these trends. Nearly 28 million adults in the United States live with asthma, with the highest rates concentrated in the Northeast and parts of the South and Midwest.
The presence of comorbid conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease only adds to the complexity of care. These overlapping risk factors make timely access to pulmonologists essential, particularly in hospitals where on-site specialists are limited or unavailable.
The Impact of Tele-Pulmonology
For hospitals without in-house pulmonology coverage or those that need support during nights, weekends, or periods of high demand, telemedicine offers a practical and cost-effective alternative. Eagle Telemedicine provides flexible delivery models for on-demand and scheduled consults, offering:
- 24/7 access to specialists without incurring the cost of full-time recruitment
- Support for on-site teams, including hospitalists and ED physicians, who often manage respiratory cases alone
- Reduction in patient transfers, improving patient satisfaction and increasing hospital census
- Improved coordination and outcomes, including lower readmission rates
- Increased revenue opportunities by expanding service lines and retaining more complex cases locally
Eagle’s Tele-Pulmonologists can assist with daily rounds, manage ventilator care, respond to code blues, and perform remote assessments, ensuring all high-acuity patients receive timely intervention.
Supporting Clinical Workflows
Tele-Pulmonology doesn’t stop at consults. Remote services, such as Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) interpretation, help hospitals manage patients with chronic lung conditions more effectively. PFTs provide critical insights into lung capacity and gas exchange, supporting more accurate diagnosis and treatment plans for diseases such as COPD, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Offering a Scalable Solution
Ultimately, Tele-Pulmonology offers a lifeline for hospitals in underserved regions. By closing gaps in specialist access, hospitals can:
- Deliver better patient outcomes
- Reduce strain on overextended staff
- Improve operational efficiency
- Avoid costly and unnecessary transfers
Whether your facility needs episodic consults or full-time virtual coverage, Eagle Telemedicine can help design a Tele-Pulmonology program that fits your hospital’s unique needs. One example is how we changed the game for Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in the case study below:
[button: Tele-Pulmonolgy Eases Staffing Concerns] – https://www.eagletelemedicine.com/resources/case-studies/pulmonology-telemedicine/
Ready to learn more about adding Tele-Pulmonology to your hospital?
Contact Eagle Telemedicine to explore how virtual pulmonary care can enhance your level of care for both patients and employees.
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