Telemedicine in Acute Care

Before learning about telemedicine and telehealth in class, I was unaware that there was a difference between the two. I now understand that telemedicine allows a provider to diagnose, prescribe, and treat a patient all virtually when a patient is in a healthcare facility. This reminds me of the tele sitters they utilize in the hospital to watch fall risk or elopement risk patients. Telemedicine is a useful tool for nurses and providers because it allows for the staff in the health care facility to prioritize their patients that can’t be treated through telemedicine. Telehealth is different from telemedicine because telehealth is used to contact patients in a primary care setting so patients can still speak with their provider if they cannot attend in person. Telehealth is used for less acute situations, whereas telemedicine can be used to assess deteriorating patients. Telehealth was very useful when the COVID 19 pandemic hit and allowed patients to avoid exposure to COVID 19 but still receive adequate healthcare. 

            Telehealth and telemedicine use surged during the COVID 19 pandemic since many primary care offices were closed to non-emergent visits and wellness check-ups. This service also allowed patients to explain their symptoms and receive treatment without exposing others to their illness. I myself used telehealth services to meet with a provider when I tested positive for COVID 19 last year and was surprised by how efficient and accurate it was. Telehealth was first used in rural areas due to the lack of healthcare nearby in the 1960s-70s. This allowed rural populations access to a wider range of healthcare without traveling, and this population was able to access healthcare from mores specialists than before (History of Telemedicine, 2022).

            I think telehealth and telemedicine are both great resources for nurses to utilize in practice. Telemedicine avoids having to track down providers and allows patients to be seen faster which can provide more efficient patient care for nurses. Nurses can also suggest the use of telemedicine on their floor to their unit manager or charge nurse if it is not currently provided and the need is evident. Telehealth and telemedicine may even reduce the strain between providers and nurses, because the nurse will be able to utilize a telemedicine provider if the unit provider(s) is not available. Telehealth and telemedicine are technological advances that we should take advantage of, to reach our ultimate goal of providing the best patient care.