CareAnyWhere

THE INNOVATION LEARNING NETWORK Provocative ideas - future of healthcare

iln

CareAnyWhere | INNOVATION LEARNING NETWORK

INNOVATION LEARNING NETWORKChris McCarthy, ILN Director

www.innovationlearningnetwork.org

TAPESTRY PROJECT MEMBERSPenny Ford-Carleton, CIMIT

Jan Ground, Kaiser Permanente Colorado

Cathy Eddy, Health Plan Alliance

Teaque Lenahan, gravitytank

Morley Healy, Via Christi Health

Tim Rawson, ILN

Adrienne Smith, ILN

© Innovation Learning Network

California, USA

2010 iln

About the ILN

For those in the health care industry who are inspired by fostering innovation throughout their organizations, the Innovation Learning Network offers a rare and exclusive opportunity for cultivation and collaboration with its’ members, leading health care innovators, and guest speakers in virtual symposiums, open forums and annual face-to-face meetings. Through this open-access to leaders in health care, members can share best practices and key learnings- inspiring everyone to think out of the box.

This unique group of 13 healthcare organizations and two innovation/design firms from across the U.S. gather to connect, think, learn and share on various topics ranging from healthcare trends, technologies and best practices to design methodologies and organizational innovation diffusion.

It’s really all about unprecedented, organizational diffusion of innovation collaboration and sharing around the area of health and healthcare design/innovation… and we’re good at it.

MembersAscension Health

California HealthCare Foundation

CIMIT (Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology)

FMOLHS (Franciscan Missionary Of our Lady Health System)

gravitytank

Health Plan Alliance

Indian Health Services

Kaiser Permanente

National Health Service (NHS)

Partners Healthcare

Point Forward

Szollosi Healthcare Innovation Program (SHIP)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)

Via Christi Health

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INNOVATION LEARNING NETWORK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IntroductionCareAnyWhere Initiative 11

Idea Framework 13

I’m really sick! Can you come to me? House Calls 17

Robo-doc: RP-7 Robots 19

Hospital at Home 21

e-ICU 23

It’s not life or death. Can we meet somewhere convenient? Kaiser Permanente Mobile Clinic 27

Mayo Clinic at Mall of America 29

Mobile Phones Diagnostic Software 31

Medical Home 33

Ambulatory Practice of the Future 35

1800calldoc.com 37

Sensors to Prevent Falls 39

Mobile Applications 41

I’m in too many places at once. Can we meet virtually?

Virtual Practice 45

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Telemedicine 47

Online Care - Hello Health 49

Online Care - American Well (internet) 51

CollaboRhythm: Primary Care Teamwork Anywhere Anytime 53

E-mail (internet) 55

Via Christi InMyHome 57

The Connected Health Care Suite (internet) 59

Twitter 61

The people who support me need help, too!Details 65

ClosingThoughts 67

11

The discussion of CareAnyWhere began for us as an Open Space Technology* discussion in October 2007 at the ILN In-Person meeting in Austin, TX. The original concept was framed as “Home as Hub.” Two members (Penny Ford-Carleton, CIMIT and Jan Ground, Kaiser Permanente Colorado) kicked off the discussion and prompted others to consider the following: Why do people have to be so inconvenienced by coming to where the provider is, when the need can often be met in another way? and How can we support the frail, elderly, and those in hospice and palliative care, without making them come to where the providers are?

They were joined by several others representing Kaiser Permanente, CHI, CIMIT and Franciscan. Together the group planned a series of webinars that were related to finding solutions for delivering care in the home. During 2008 at least five webinars were devoted to the topic, which evolved to the coined term “CareAnyWhere.”

Given the enthusiasm of the members around this topic, CareAnyWhere became the theme for the October 2008 In-Person meeting at Kaiser Permanente’s Garfield Innovation Center. Members were taken through skill-building sessions where they learned innovation and design skills (courtesy of IDEO and new member organization gravitytank) while brainstorming solutions for how to deliver care in multiple environ-ments. A smaller group of members thought it valuable to develop the conversation into a concrete deliverable in 2009. The deliverable was the CareAnyWhere Tapestry.

The Tapestry is a living, breathing testament to our commitment to patient-centered care. The goal of the Tapestry is to inspire member organizations and beyond to engage their patients in ways that meet them where they are so that our patients will say: “CareAnyWhere exists to help me live to my fullest, on my terms by providing ubiquitous access to my health information and providers in order to maintain my health where I live, work and play.”

This is a booklet of promising ideas and well-developed best practices for delivering care with the right people at the right place and time. The ideas and practices are framed from the patient’s perspective and are meant to help shift the thinking of caregivers to a more obvious patient-centered point of view.

Introduction

The health insurance reform effort currently underway in Congress is aimed at expanding coverage for the uninsured and underinsured while keeping healthcare affordable. In the years to come, the United States faces an aging population, increasing health care costs, a shortage of primary care physicians and a pipeline of new devices and drugs. This creates a conducive environment for Car-eAnyWhere approaches. The innovation that drives new ways to deliver care in convenient venues can also identify opportunities to leverage technology, time and caregivers, as well as embracing cost effective care. We need to not only reform our complicated health care system, we need to rethink and redesign care patterns to simplify how they fit into our lives.

The Tapestry is just the start of a growing movement to more effectively meet our patients where they are and to contribute to the practical conversation regarding our answer to healthcare advancement and reform.

13

physical

virtual

high acuity

low acuity

Idea Framework

AmericanWell

Project Hope

Mayo +Mall

Twitter

KP HITelemed

HelloHealth

VirtualPractice

ConnectedHealthcare

Suite

Email

Robo-doc

e-ICU

Housecalls

Hospitalsat home

1800calldoc

It’s not life or death.Can we

meet somewhere convenient?

I’m really sick!

Can you come to me?

How the ideas are organized

The ideas in this booklet are organized by activity and location of care delivery (physical to virtual). The categories are written from the patient’s perspective and include the following:

• I’m really sick! Can you come to me?

• It’s not life or death. Can we meet somewhere convenient?

• I’m in too many places at once. Can we meet virtually?

The Idea Framework on the following page shows where the ideas fall at a glance. You will notice a final section devoted to tools to support caregivers. Many of the ideas throughout the booklet may also serve as provider/caregiver support. While there are no distinct ideas in this section, we invite you to share ideas and tools that you have used that best support your role as a caregiver to deliver care to patients and/or family members when and where they need it. Submit your ideas to http://www.innovationlearningnetwork.org/group/careanywheretapestry. Thank you.

I’m really sick! Can you come to me?

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The promise of this model is that we can do what patients and their families want and need, and at the same time reduce their costs. I’m really sick > House Calls

Nurses and Physicians see about 275 homebound patients who live within 15 miles of the hospital, visiting each approximately once a month [post hospital stays]. Most of the patients suffer from multiple chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or Alzheimer’s. All are so ill that it had become an ordeal to go to the doctor’s office for a routine physical or to check on a worrisome symptom. It’s not uncommon for patients like these to experience mild confusion, for instance, which could signal a stroke or a routine urinary tract infection.

RESULTSAn internal analysis by VCU Medical Center suggested that from 2003 to 06, the house call program helped cut in half the number of days these patients spent in the hospital, saving the medical center as much as $2 million.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE Since 2003, 6 years

RESOURCES NEEDED 4 MDs, 4 NPs

BUDGET 1M, half Medicare + half Med Ctr.

CONTACT Dr. Peter Boling @ Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

SOURCELA Times / 25 August 2009

House Calls

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...wireless, mobile, Remote Presence robots that allow you to be in two places at once.I’m really sick > Robo-doc

Mobile robotic platform that enables the physician to be remotely present. Through the integration of key technologies, the Remote Presence Robotic System can remove time and distance barriers and effectively extend the physician’s reach to manage patient care. Under the direct control of a remote physician seated at a ControlStation, the Robot can move untethered allowing the physician to freelyinteract with patients, family members and hospital staff from anywhere, anytime.

RESULTSNone publicly reported. The Robodoc has been used to ease the shortage of specialty physicians.

RESOURCES NEEDED Robot, at least one (1) physician trained to drive and use the robot.

BUDGET Current lease from InTouch Health $6,000-8,000 per month.

CONTACT Sanford Kurtz, COO, @ Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA

SOURCE http://www.intouchhealth.com/products.html

Robo-doc: RP-7 Robots

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How Hospital at Home Operates

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Patient presents to ED. Clinicians determine patient has acute illness that could be treated at home. Patient chooses Hospital at Home option.

Patient transported home accompanied by nurse or physician with appropriate medications and equipment, including oxygen, if necessary.

Nurse provides instruction about medications, follow-up care, send letter to primary care physician.

Physician visits patient at least daily. Extended initial nursing visit and at least daily visits. 24/7 physician and nursecoverage.

Bringing acute hospital care home for older patients.I’m really sick > Hospital at Home

As the number of older adults with acute health needs grows, hospitals need more innovative and cost effective ways to treat these patients. provides safe, high-quality, hospital-level care to older adults in the comfort of their own homes. Developed by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and tested at medical centers across the country, this innovative care model reduces complications, is highly rated by patients and caregivers, diminishes caregiver stress,and lowers health care costs by nearly one-third.

RESULTSEarly experience suggest cost savings in the following areas:• Lab and radiology testing• Pharmacy (IV to PO)• Less clinical service consumption on a daily basis• Cost avoidance due to prevention of complications

CONTACT Bruce Leff, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 410.550.8701bleff@jhmi.edu

SOURCEwww.hospitalathome.org

Hospital at Home

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Puts virtual caregivers right next to the patients.I’m really sick > Retail Health: e-ICU

Within health systems such as Via Christi and Resurrection Health (RHC), the care delivery model for intensive care has drastically changed. Physician and nurse specialists use video screens and other technology to monitor the heart rates, urine output, and breaths per minute of fragile patients in the intensive care units of the hospitals within the system. The eICU system provides a comprehensive range of monitoring capabilities.

RESULTSDuring the first six months (with only 3 out of 8 sites implemented), RHC demonstrated the following results: Reduction in mortality (41%); length-of-stay (LOS) (38%); and 1,700 fewer ICU days as compared to baseline; 3 million dollar cost savings in LOS; Approximately 5-6 million dollars in preventable claim settlements based on previous data.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE Since 2007

RESOURCES NEEDED eICU infrastructure (equipment/software), dedicated clinincal staff.

CONTACT Janell Moerer, VP Business Development @ Via Christi Health8200 E. Thorn, Wichita, KS 67226316-858-4940 officeJanell_Moerer@via-christi.org

SOURCEhttp://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/eletters/hlthaff.28.5.w937v1#30867http://www.via-christi.org/body2.cfm?id=2603&oTopID=2603

e-ICU

It’s not life or death. Can we meet somewhere convenient?

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Electronic Health Records, Telemedicine, Mammography and Health Screenings on Wheels Expand Access and Encourage Healthier Communities.Meet me somewhere convenient > Kaiser Permanente Hope-Mobile Clinic

This 500-square-foot, 10-wheel mobile medical vehicle is staffed by a mobile health team of a nurse practitioner, medical assistant and mammography tech-nologist, with physician services available as well.

Services available include:

• All women’s health screening • Basic Exam/Screening • Immunization/Vaccination • Employer Screening Services

LENGTH OF PRACTICE July 2009

RESOURCES NEEDED An equipped mobile clinic vehicle with staff (nurse, medical assistant, mammography tech, physician.

BUDGET To build $500,000 to $1M.

CONTACT Trish Doherty

SOURCEhttp://xnet.kp.org/newscenter/pressreleases/nat/2009/061109hawaiimobilehealth.htmlhttp://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10264784-76.html

Kaiser PermanenteMobile Health Clinic

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...an outpost amid the roller coasters, restaurants and retailers...Meet me somewhere convenient > Mayo Clinic at Mall of America

The Mayo Clinic has moved on plans to develop a clinic at the Mall of America.The clinic may provide diagnostic screenings, wellness counseling and other services that might direct patients to the home campus in Rochester. The facility may offer telemedicine consultations and organize logistics for international patients. But it will not offer routine primary care such as treating sore throats and broken bones.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE In development.

CONTACT Karl Oestreich @ newsbureau@mayo.edu

SOURCEhttp://www.mayoclinic.org/news2009-rst/5319.html

Mayo Clinicat Mall of America

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Cough for instant diagnosis.Meet me somewhere convenient > Mobile Phone Diagnostic Software

STAR Analytical Services is supporting the work of American and Austraiilian scientist to develop software that will allow patients to detect the presence of arespiratory illness by simply coughing into their phones.

So far, STAR has developed a database of dozens of coughing patients with varying respiratory diseases. The goal is to collect at least 1,000 recorded coughs based on a patient population of both sexes, diverse ages, weights, etc. This would allow the software to be more reliable.

Cough into the phone and it checks your sound against its database of coughs to diagnose your illness.

RESULTSTBD

LENGTH OF PRACTICE Prototype

CONTACT Suzanne Smith @ STAR Analytic Services

SOURCEwww.telegraph.co.uk/.../Cough-into-your-mobile-phone-for-instant-diagnosis.html

Star Analytical Services:Mobile phone diagnostic software

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A team of support...Meet me somewhere convenient > Medical Home

This is a blend of traditional primary care and telemedicine. A physician oversees a team of nurses, physician assistants and health coaches to deliver preventative care to patients by phone, email to allow the physician to focus on “compelling medical issues.”

LENGTH OF PRACTICE Since early 2007

RESOURCES NEEDED 1 MD per 1,800 patients. Number of RNs, PAs and health coaches is not mentioned by source

CONTACT Michael Erikson, VP Primary Care Services @ Pioneer in Medical HomesGroup Health Cooperative Seattle

SOURCEarchives.chicagotribune.com/2009/oct/.../chi-medical-homes-20-oct20

Medical Home

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Interact remotely with my healthcare team.Meet me somewhere convenient > Ambulatory Practice of the Future

The Ambulatory Practice of the Future is a new innovative practice that supports prevention and wellness as well as coordinated care for acute and chronic illness— in the right place and at the right time. This patient-centered primary care practice provides care for employees of MGH and their adult dependents. Health care encounters will occur in a redesigned physical practice that radically improves the experience for patients and providers and in a virtual practice, where members can interact remotely with their healthcare team. Health care providers will work in teams, sharing the work of caring for patients in ways that maximize the skills of every team member. The practice is a living innovation laboratory that fosters continuous improvement and the creation of new processes, technologies and roles. An environment that values both successes and failures as signs of risk-taking and advancing care.

CONTACT David Judge, MDdjudge@partners.org

SOURCE CIMIT - http://www.cimit.org/programs-ambulatorypractice.htmlCIMIT - http://www.cimit.org/forum/forum-csi-05.26.09.Judge.html

Ambulatory Practice of the Future

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In-home testing about 1/3cost of ER visit.Meet me somewhere convenient > 1800calldoc.com

Physicians (in San Diego and Riverside/San Bernardino) provide diagnosis and treatment, from setting bones to providing care for chronic conditions. New technology allows CALL DOC physicians, nurses, and technicians to offer in-home x-rays, EKG; lab tests: blood chemistry, urinalysis; medications. About 1/3 the cost of an ER visit.

SOURCEhttp://www.1800calldoc.com

1800calldoc.com

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Using sensors to monitor mywalking patterns.Meet me somewhere convenient > Sensors to Prevent Falls

Researchers such as the National Institute on Aging, Technology Research for Independent Living and the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology have studied the aging population and the use of wearable and wireless sensors to monitor the walking patterns of this patient population. Studied activity patterns of the patients can “help identify ways to prevent falls.” In addition the technology “gives [care providers] the ability to get behavioral activity data all the time for a much more fine-grained, real-world picture of what is happening with a person’s health” says Dr. Jeffery Kaye of the Oregon Health and Science University. The cost of early prototypes are as cheap at $200. Companies such as Intel and General Electric are investing in the field of medical sensors.

RESULTSTBD

RESOURCES NEEDED Wearable and wireless room+ hallway sensors

CONTACT Dr. Jeffrey Kaye, Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering @ Oregon Health and Science University sponsored by the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology

Richard M. Suzman, Director @ National Institute on Aging

Technology Research for Independent Living (Ireland)

Dr. Chie Wei Fan, Medical Gerontologist @Trinity College Dublin

CONTACT Aydogan Ozcan, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles

SOURCE“Watch the Walk and Prevent a Fall.” The New York Times. November 8, 2009

Sensors to prevent falls

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46% of people believe that in the future, they “will be able to get help from a doctor in diagnosing and treating a health issue remotely.” Meet me somewhere convenient > Mobile Apps

It’s easy to imagine a near future scenario where mobile apps become an essential tool for delivering medical care. Indeed, it’s easy because that future is already here, thanks to successful apps like Netter’s Anatomy, a beautiful compendium of anatomy that is a must-have reference tool for medical students. Now imagine taking this two steps further, with apps that can help doctor to take a patient’s medical history, record annotated video to share with peers and retrieve essential health records without leaving the bedside. Think of apps that make it easier for patients to keep a record of headaches, medication schedules, diet or blood-sugar levels, or apps that facilitate a remote diagnosis for simple maladies like a child’s ear infection. App users are certainly open to such scenarios; 46% say that they would like to interact with their doctor through an app. Thanks to application-enabled smartphones, the longstanding dream of practicing e-healthcare now seems much closer than we may realize.

CONTACT Michael Winnick collaborate@gravitytank.com

SOURCEhttp://www.gravitytank.com/apps

Mobile Apps

I’m in too many places at once. Can we meet virtually?

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© The Virtual Practice 2009 | mghvirtualpractice@partners.org      1  

 

 

Component 2 | Synchronous Communication with the Provider (Virtual Visit) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow’s medicine, today.Meet me virtually > Virtual Practice

It is estimated that between 30 and 50% of visits to primary care doctors could be prevented if an appropriate information infrastructure existed that could enable better communication between patients and providers. The virtual practice concept is an effort to operationalize this infrastructure. It consists of three components.The first component involves secure asynchronous messaging (such as an e-mail platform) between providers and patients. The second component involves synchronous or real-time communication (such as videoconferencing, telephone, or text messaging). The third component is remote monitoring, which requires the incorporation of the valid externally generated data (blood pressure readings, blood sugar readings, home peak flow readings) into the information pathway. Amalgamating these three components into the work flow of primary care physicians could dramatically transform the way that care is delivered, improving efficiency throughout the process.

CONTACT Ron Dixon, MDrdixon@partners.org 617-312-6914

SOURCECIMIThttp://www2.massgeneral.org/beaconhill/md.html#http://www2.massgeneral.org/beaconhill/The%20Virtual%20Practice_9-08.pdf

Virtual Practice

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Modern technology encourages interactive care...Meet me virtually > Kaiser Permanente Hawaii

Telemedicine uses modern technology and telecommunications to deliver interactive care. At KP Hawaii, specialists on the island of Oahu provide specialty care to patients on the big island of Hawaii in Nephrology, Cardiology, Behavioral Health, Plastic Surgery, Allergy.

RESULTS130 patients cared for in 2008; 59 in Q1 2009; Additional specialties under consideration: Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Pain, Bariatrics, Neurology, Geriatrics, Dermatology

LENGTH OF PRACTICE 3.5 years

RESOURCES NEEDED Telemedicine Equipment/digital devices, assistant in room with patient.

BUDGET Equipment: ~$50,000 per set-up (specialty and patient location)

CONTACT Contacts:Mary Hew, Clinic Operations Manager, Neighbor Island Clinics,808-243-6618, mary.hew@kp.org

Alan Lau MD, Nephrology, 808-432-8050, alan.lau@kp.org

SOURCEKaiser Permanente Hawaii

Telemedicine:Kaiser Permanente Hawaii

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It’s part electronic medicalrecord, part practice-management system, and part social-net-working site... Meet me virtually > Online Care - Hello Health

Hello Health is the marketplace where our growing community of patients and health professionals meet up and transact, through online and in person communication. It’s our mission to better the health and lifestyles of both, and to eliminate all barriers to high quality health care.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE Since 2006

RESOURCES NEEDED Network of Physicians, Online infrastructure

CONTACT Dr. Jay Parkinson @ jayparkinsonmd@gmail.comhttp://jayparkinsonmd.com/

SOURCEwww.hellohealth.com

Hello Health

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...services that allow consumers and physicians come together online...Meet me virtually > Online Care - American Well (internet)

American Well, a Boston-based company, offers services that allow “consumers and physicians come together online, to acquire and provide convenient and im-mediate healthcare services. Using the latest technologies in Web communications and digital telephony, the Company extends traditional healthcare services to the home setting. American Well is committed to supporting healthplans in meeting consumer and employer demand for affordable, efficient, and immediate access to quality care.”

LENGTH OF PRACTICE Since 2006

RESOURCES NEEDED Network of Physicians, Online infrastructure

CONTACT American Well @ 617-204-3500

SOURCEwww.americanwell.com

American Well

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Primary care teamwork anywhere at anytime.Meet me virtually > CollaboRhythm: Primary Care Teamwork Anywhere Anytime

CollaboRhythm is a medical information technology platform that is being developed at the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The goal of CollaboRhythm is to enable radical new paradigms in provider-patient interaction with emphasis is on empowering patients to take a more active role in their care and allowing providers to become more ubiquitously available as coaches. A voice- and touch-controlled collaborative workstation allows patients to contribute to decisions that are made in the office. Intelligent anthropomorphic avatars allow providers to elicit important information from patients betweenvisits and to improve health education. Applications on smart phones, televisions, and other interactive technologies such as the Chumby allow patients to connect with their providers without disengaging from their lives.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE In development

CONTACT John Moore MD, MIT Media Lab

SOURCEhttp://newmed.media.mit.edu/projects/index.php

CollaboRhythm - Primary CareAnyWhere Anytime

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E-mail can be as useful as a stethoscope in diagnosing... patients email me over a secure network with questions and descriptions of signs and symptoms.Meet me virtually > Internet: E-mail

Physician and patient use e-mail communication to diagnose and triage medical cases. Those email communications are then logged into the electronic medical record.

RESULTSTime savings and cost savings in reduction of in-person visits. Patient satisfaction.Better, more accurate updates within electronic medical record. Reported: Physician time per Email is about 5-10 min.

RESOURCES NEEDED Physician and patient access to secured Email

BUDGET The cost of a secured email network.

CONTACT Rahul Parikh @ Walnut Creek Kaiser Permanentewww.rahulkparikh.com

SOURCEThe Doctor Is In and Logged Onhttp://articles.latimes.com/2009/jul/20/health/he-practice20

E-mail

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Through preventative care and additional care as your needs change, our goal is to keep you healthy, active, independent and comfortable in your home.Meet me virtually > InMyHome

Via Christi’s program for well elders incorporates Smart Home technology, including environmental and physiologic sensors, that activate an “On Star” service center in the event of an unsafe condition or alarm. The focus of this innovative program coordinated by a Personal Care Coordinator is to effectively enable people to age in place and remain in their homes perhaps for a lifetime.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE July 2009

RESOURCES NEEDED Geriatric Interdisciplinary Clinical Team / Personal Care Coordinator / in-home monitoring devices and services.

BUDGET Startup cost of $350,000 for health system.

CONTACT Tina Lott, Executive Director @ Via Christi InMyHome

SOURCEwww.via-christi.org/body.cfm?id=2738

Via Christi InMyHome

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...delivers powerful data collection, decision support, clinical rules and a range of gold-standard disease and behavior management tools.Meet me virtually > Internet: The Connected Health Care Suite

Partners Center for Connected Health has developed the Connected Health CareSuite that functions as a comprehensive records system for connected health programs. Connected health programs use a combination of remote monitoring technology, sensors and online communications to improve patient adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes. This connected health technology platform delivers powerful data collection, decision support, clinical rules and a range of gold-standard disease and behavior management tools. The platform’s interfaces manage the interaction between patients, providers and caregivers, creating the right online experience for the right user at the right time.

CONTACT Doug McClure, Partners @ Center for Connected Health

SOURCEwww.connected-health.org

Connected Health Care Suite

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It allows a user to leverage an increasingly common mode of communication for finding useful medical information.Meet me virtually > Twitter

Many physicians, hospitals and other health care services are using Twitter, a free mircoblogging internet service, to communicate with other team members, to gather medical information to stay current on relevant medical topics to stay connected to others in the field, especially post conferences, to communicate with patient population and steer them to the hospital website, etc. Even the Center for Disease Control uses Twitter to share info during health emergencies.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE Since 2003, 6 years

RESOURCES NEEDED Free twitter account, staff to monitor if for the hospital or clinic. Individual providers would monitor their accounts themselves.

SOURCETelemedicine & eHealth, vol. 15, No.6 July/August 2009

Twitter

The people who support me need help, too!

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The people who support me need help, too!

Details

The ideas that have been presented represent the ways in which we, as caregivers, can support patients and/or our loved ones. As we contribute to building out ideas for ways to engage patients at the right place and right time, it’s important for us to consider the ways in which providers and other caregivers can get the support that they (we) need, too.

How might we ensure that caregivers are well-equipped with the appropriate tools to meet patients when and where they need it? How might we connect caregivers and providers in ways that promote “teamwork” when delivering care to patients? And there are several more questions for us to brainstorm regarding the clinical team, friends + family caregivers, etc. Consider submitting ideas not only for the other patient-centered categories, but also for caregivers, too.

SUBMITTING IDEAS Submit your ideas in the Care AnyWhere section at:http://www.innovationlearningnetwork.org/group/careanywheretapestry.

THANK YOU Thank you for your continued contribution.

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Closing Thoughts

Again, this document is a work-in-progress. It’s purpose is to inspire us to try new ideas within our organizations to deliver on our promise to deliver appropriate, timely care. You may have other ideas that you are either trying or have heard about. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Visit http://www.innovationlearningnetwork.org/group/careanywheretapestry to contribute more ideas and engage each other in the conversation to better meet our desire to hear patients say: “CareAnyWhere exists to help me live to my fullest, on my terms by providing ubiquitous access to my health information and providers in order to maintain my health where I live, work and play.”