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Monday, 31 October 2011
Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to define Care Coordination Home Telehealth(CCHT) as well as successful implementation strategies.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify useful telehealth measurements/outcomes to measure success.
Care Coordination Home Telehealth (CCHT) is defined as “the ongoing monitoring and assessment of selected patients using Telehealth technologies to proactively enable prevention, investigation, and treatment that enhance the health of patients and prevent unnecessary and inappropriate utilization of resources”. (VISN 16 CCHT). Nationwide enrollment of qualified Veterans in CCHT occurred in 2008 with the stated aim to help diabetics manage their care from home. Preliminary CCHT training for clinicians was conducted including preparation and policy planning for this important nurse led program. In addition, consultative guidelines were established and primary care physicians, advanced practice nurses (APNs) and clinic registered nurses (RNs) qualified to screen and recommend Veterans for CCHT. These programs in VHA have demonstrated reduced hospital admissions, clinic and emergency room visits”(VHA Office of Telehealth services). Enrollment of patients and institution of a cohort monitor group was the first priority. Established measures included reduction of bed days of care (BDOC), HgbA1c improvement post enrollment, as well as hypertension monitors. This information is centralized in a national database supported by Veterans Affairs. The staff nurses matched potential candidates against published VHA guidelines. The CCHT nurse visited each clinic explaining the value of the program to manage patient flow in addition to disease monitoring. The CCHT nursing staff developed relationships with the Veteran and the primary care teams resulting in outcomes well above the benchmarks established by VHA. (FY 10 Graphs/tables provided in presentation).
Implications: Nurses in an outpatient clinic setting possess the skills and knowledge necessary to manage clinic flow and enhance patient outcomes.
Implications: Nurses in an outpatient clinic setting possess the skills and knowledge necessary to manage clinic flow and enhance patient outcomes.
References:
Veterans Integrated Service Network 16 (VISN 16), Care Coordination Home Telehealth Program Mission and Scope of Service statement.
Veterans Health Administration Office of Telehealth Services Retrieved December 30, 2010 from http://vaww.telehealth.va.gov/telehealth/ccht/index.asp