Telehealth Technology Brings Pediatricians into Living Rooms and Affiliated Hospitals
A technology that is helping more Florida families access pediatric care was honored by the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) on the night of Thursday, October 20th. Nemours CareConnect, a new approach to telehealth that brings board-certified pediatricians into homes, schools, and hospitals, won an award for Innovation of the Year in Patient Care at the FHA’s annual meeting in Orlando.
“Nemours CareConnect is fast, easy to use and cost-effective, and it allows us to advance our commitment to bring care closer to families,” said Carey Officer, administrator of Nemours CareConnect. “We are always looking to technology to help us improve care for our patients and we are honored the Florida Hospital Association recognized our innovative approach.”
Nemours was honored for using the CareConnect telehealth platform in multiple ways in order to provide care where and when patients need it. Applications have included delivering a modern twist on the house call, as well as extending care teams at hospitals.
Currently, six Florida hospitals have a Nemours CareConnect console. The technological link allows Nemours specialists to remotely assess a patient at any one of these affiliated hospitals through an iPad.
“Nemours providers have the opportunity to put their eyes on a patient, providing an added level of communication that is not possible over the phone, ” said Shayan Vyas, MD, Nemours’ medical director for telehealth in Florida. “Often times these remote consultations help the child stay at the affiliated hospital, which is typically closer to home.”
CareConnect is also available directly to families. Through a smartphone, tablet or the internet, families can hold a video visit with a board-certified pediatrician from Nemours, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is available to families anywhere in Florida. Nemours recently expanded the service to Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Most recently, Nemours installed a CareConnect console in the nurse’s office of an Orlando school. Morning Star Catholic School is a Diocese of Orlando school serving the needs of students with special needs. The video visits are intended for minor injuries and health issues, such as fevers, vomiting, and rashes as well as chronic disease management. It is the first school in Florida to use the technology.
The Florida Hospital Association (FHA) is the voice of Florida’s hospital community. Through representation and advocacy, education and informational services, the FHA support the mission of its members to provide the highest quality of care to the patients served.
The 2016 FHA annual meeting took place in Orlando from October 19 – 21at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. The Celebration of Service Awards celebrates health care leaders and organizations that are committed to the mission of providing high-quality care to Floridians.
