I have suggested in the past notes that deploying virtual visits (telemedicine) in a health system can reduce costs but did not provide any tangible evidence to support the idea (see: Telemedicine Used in New Healthcare Settings Like Coaching). However, in a recent webinar, executives from Spectrum Health make the point that deploying virtual visits does result in substantial savings for the health system; they also provide concrete evidence for this assertion (see: Spectrum Health Uses Site-to-Site Telehealth Consults to Avoid Transfers and Reduce Costs).
Spectrum is a large health system operating in central Michigan with a patient catchment area extending hundred of miles to the north. Spectrum executives have learned that substantial savings are realized by treating patients in their home communities via telemedicne visits rather than forcing them to travel to the major hospital of the system in Grand Rapids. Incidentally and obviously, savings are also incurred by the patents who participate because they don't need to pay the costs of a long overnight trip. In the webinar, the savings realized are demonstrated.
Emphasis was placed in the webinar on virtual visits for "specialty" care by which is meant medical specialties like wound care and sleep disorders. During a patient visit with a PCP, a tele-consultation is initiated in areas such as these. The virtual visit is supported with a telecart provided by AmericanWell. The very interesting point was also made during the webinar that specialists have been more accepting and enthusiastic about telemedicine than primary care providers (PCPs) at Spectrum Health because the specialists are accustomed to being conferred with during a primary care encounter. Virtual care is thus an effective and efficient way to deploy specialty care in smaller community hospital or physicians' offices that are part of a multi-hospital group (see: Telehealth tips, torn from the playbook of Intermountain's massive virtual hospital).
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