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Are you a technophobe? Do you keep up with the latest and greatest advancements in technology?  Are you amazed by what technology can now do?  Even if you are not the most computer savvy person in the world, technology has invaded your life.  It is impossible to escape no matter how hard you try.  If you do not believe this just go to the cell phone store and tell them that you want a regular phone.  Whether it is fortunate or unfortunate, many of us carry gadgets that bring the world to our fingertips, so why should health care be any different?

Home health plays a vital role – As the nation moves to create and develop effective Accountable Care Organizations, the implementation of health information technology will create the innovation that is needed for effective and efficient health care services. No one is in a better position to be the catalyst of this technology than are the post acute care providers, home health care agencies, such as Medistar.

Home health technology – There is a lot of technology on the market that is important in reducing medical errors and support clinical services.  Some of these are:

• Point of Care Devices – Home health professionals can utilize these while providing all aspects of care.  These devices will allow for better interactions between the patient’s location and the physicians.  These devices give the clinicians additional informational resources that may be needed to provide the best care and treatment, including personalized clinical pathways or physician protocols.  Clinicians can record their observations and notes in “real time” directly into the electronic medical record, which is then available for the doctor to see.
• Digital Cameras – Offer the ability for the wound to be seen at various stages of healing.  The ability to upload pictures gives the physician and other clinicians the ability to see the status of the wound the wound healing process without having to bring the patient in for an office or clinic visit.
• Telemonitoring – These devices can be useful in the monitoring and treatment of certain diagnoses, such as diabetes or congestive heart failure.  The use of telemonitoring can help to reduce or eliminate the need for hospitalizations of this nature.
• Cell Phones – Give the physicians the ability to access the home health provider to provide more information or additional support for an immediate response to a patient’s needs.
• Physician Portals – Gives the physicians direct access to home health agencies, allowing them to more easily monitor the care of their patients and issue orders in a more efficient manner.  Promotes a faster dissemination of real-time patient and medical information, including medication management, a top reason for unplanned rehospitalization.
• E-minders – Gives the home health provider the ability to remind patients of their upcoming appointments, to take their medications, check their blood sugars, etc.

The uses of technology in home health are limitless.  The effective utilization of these tools creates a win-win situation for all that are involved.  Medistar has been a leader in the use of cutting-edge technology for years.  Benefit from what technology has to offer your health care.