Practices are turning to telehealth services to make health care more accessible and convenient for patients. With this comes the need to incorporate technology into their processes. A medical technology consulting firm can make the process more seamless by helping you find the best software solutions for your transition. Here’s how these firms can help with telehealth services:
Review Existing Technology
Some medical professionals assume that all that’s needed for telehealth services is video equipment and an internet connection. While these are necessary, they aren’t the only tools you need for telemedicine. You also need proper network architecture. A medical technology consulting professional can assess existing network infrastructure to determine if it can meet the increased demand for data transmission. They can compare your current bandwidth to your requirements to determine the probability of disruptions and video-quality degradation. If there’s a gap, they can recommend bandwidth management strategies to facilitate efficient real-time audio and visual communication.
A tech consulting firm can also recommend the most suitable telehealth software. While regular video consulting platforms can facilitate video and audio communication, they may not cut it in telemedicine. Telehealth software requires additional features, like appointment scheduling, prescription management, and customized telehealth workflows for seamless service delivery. Your consultant can assess different platforms and recommend one that best meets your practice’s needs.
Help With Regulatory Compliance
Keeping up with healthcare-specific regulations and those related to telehealth services can prove challenging. Your consultant can help with compliance by implementing robust patient privacy and security measures. In terms of technology, this involves making sure all your platforms comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They can confirm whether your telehealth software provides secure data storage and contains encryption protocols that prevent unauthorized persons from accessing patient data.
A consulting company can also help you remain compliant by offering guidance. They can update you regularly on compliance requirements to help your practice adjust its telehealth practices accordingly. They can advise you on how to navigate online prescribing and consent regulations. There are variations in state rules regarding online prescribing, with some allowing it as long as there’s a patient-physician relationship. Your consultant can help you understand different states’ regulations and guide you on how to prescribe medications using your new technology. For consent, most states require medical professionals to obtain approval for telehealth services — your consultant can teach you how to obtain consent through your patient portal.
Provide Integration Expertise
System integrations can prevent task duplication and make service delivery more seamless. Your consultant can help you integrate your telehealth software with your electronic health records (EHR) systems to allow you to access all pertinent patient data during virtual consultations. This can help you make well-informed diagnoses and recommend suitable treatments. Integration can also allow you to update patients’ medical records in real time. This saves you the time you’d otherwise spend conducting updates.
Your consultant can also help with more advanced processes, like integrating your telehealth platform with remote monitoring devices. These may include sensors that track patients’ vital signs, activity levels, and sleep patterns. This is key when providing ongoing patient care. It allows you to monitor patient health remotely and make treatment adjustments whenever necessary. Medical technology consultants have in-depth knowledge of how such systems operate. They can integrate them in a manner that causes minimal disruptions and train you and your team to use the new technology.
Seek Medical Technology Consulting Services
Medical technology consulting experts can help improve your practice’s telehealth outcomes. They recommend the best technologies and integrate them with existing systems. They can also help you remain compliant by assessing your systems’ HIPAA compliance and updating you on regulatory changes that may impact how you deliver telehealth services. Find a consulting firm that understands your practice’s needs and is well-versed in regulatory standards.