In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch hosts a discussion on the regional virtual care strategy implemented by the Loddon Mallee region.
Joined by Leanne Anderson, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Data Capture Experts; Katrina Neave, Manager of Loddon Mallee Virtual Care Office at Bendigo Health; and Craig Simmonds, CEO and Founder of Propell, the conversation unpacks various facets of virtual healthcare and its impact on regional health services.
This session was recorded at the Talking HealthTech Winter Summit held on the 29th of August 2024, which brought together key people from the ecosystem in a live virtual event where participants in the chat shaped conversations.
The Loddon Mallee Virtual Care Strategy Explained
Virtual care is revolutionising healthcare delivery, especially in regions with dispersed populations. Loddon Mallee's virtual care strategy connects 15 Health Services, enabling seamless coordination and reducing the need for patient travel. Collaboration amongst regional health services isnt just beneficialits imperative. The aim is to offer equitable access to virtual care, ensuring no patient is left behind due to geographic barriers.
The comprehensive platform these services utilise involves pre-invested clinical equipment at no cost to health services, eliminating the financial burden often associated with traditional healthcare delivery methods. This preemptive investment allows instant deployment without ongoing financial justification.
Patient-Centric Innovations in Regional Health
One of the standout functionalities of the Loddon Mallee virtual care system is its patient portal, which shares biometric readings, facilitates communication with clinical teams, and collects responses to health surveys. It's about keeping things simple and widespread while ensuring that healthcare is accessible and equitable across the region.
The strategy aims to reduce hospital admissions, improve chronic care, and enhance patient satisfaction by integrating patient-centred platforms. According to pre-session poll results, 56% of participants highlighted reduced hospital admissions as the most significant benefit of a regional virtual care strategy.
Reducing Hospitalisation Through Remote Patient Monitoring
Reducing hospitalisations and dispatching nurses from regional health services forms a key objective in Loddon Mallee's strategy. Katrina Neave points out that remote patient monitoring can dramatically reduce the need for physical consultations. Existing collaborative structures among regional health services have made it easier to coordinate these efforts.
Furthermore, leveraging investments made during the COVID-19 response period has allowed these health services to expand their virtual care offerings. Adopting remote patient monitoring across all 15 Health Services in the region aims to keep patients healthier and reduce the burden on hospital infrastructure.
Technological Adaptation in Healthcare
Despite the common assumption that connectivity could be a blocker in regional areas, Craig Simmonds assures that improving internet infrastructure has mitigated this issue significantly. Instead, the challenge lies in clinicians adapting to new ways of working with technology. The biggest hurdle isnt the technology itself but the adaptation of clinicians to these new methods.
Studies reveal an intriguing trend where older patients above 80 are more receptive to using technology than younger cohorts, dispelling myths about elderly resistance to digital solutions. Such findings underscore the importance of tailoring tech-enabled healthcare to meet varied patient needs.
Service Efficiencies and Preventive Healthcare
Leanne Anderson discusses the economic implications of preventive healthcare, noting the difficulty in proving financial ROI. Instead, she emphasises the need for cost avoidance and service efficiencies in non-admitted settings. Preventive healthcare isn't just about saving moneyit's about efficient resource utilisation and improving patient outcomes simultaneously.
The focus on remote patient monitoring, coupled with Hospital in the Home (HITH) and Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) services, allows for the creation of virtual wards. These innovations provide care closer to home and integrate smoothly with emergency departments, offering a multifaceted approach to healthcare.
Digital Infrastructure and Data Governance
One of the pillars of effective virtual care is robust data governance. Well-managed and valuable data ensures that patient monitoring is precise, timely, and actionable. Devices like blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, thermometers, and scales are integrated with Bluetooth for seamless data capture. Good governance and simple, effective devices pave the way for successful data integration and patient monitoring.
The focus on user-friendly and scalable technology is extremely important. Initial feedback showed that apps with too many features could be overwhelming, leading to a redesigned, simplified interface based on user needs.
Connectivity and Collaborative Efforts
Connectivity plays a pivotal role in enabling an efficient virtual care strategy. Without robust connectivity, the best-laid plans for remote monitoring falter. The panel acknowledges that regional areas often face challenges related to connectivity, but advancements in internet infrastructure are bridging this gap.
Moreover, efforts like the Better at Home program highlight the importance of ongoing collaboration. By working together, health services in Loddon Mallee can manage resources better, offer more effective care, and create a more resilient healthcare system.
Lessons Learned from Collaboration
The success of Loddon Mallees virtual care strategy provides valuable lessons for other regions aiming to implement similar initiatives. The emphasis on co-design and clinician involvement ensures that the solutions developed are practical and effective. Co-designing with clinicians guarantees that the technology meets their needs and integrates seamlessly into their workflows.
Looking Ahead: Future Plans
As the panel discusses, the future of virtual care looks promising, with plans to hold another virtual summit later in the year. This ongoing dialogue among health professionals aims to refine strategies and incorporate innovations. Maintaining a patient-centric approach remains the focal point.
The emphasis will be on continuous improvement in service delivery, leveraging user feedback, and staying adaptable to emerging healthcare needs. Future plans also involve capturing individual success stories, which are instrumental in encouraging the adoption of new health services.
Wrapping Up
The Loddon Mallee region exemplifies how strategic, patient-centred innovations can make healthcare more accessible and effective, setting a model for other regions to follow.
The Loddon Mallee virtual care strategy provides a robust framework for transforming regional healthcare by fostering collaboration, leveraging existing infrastructures, and focusing on patient needs. As virtual care continues to evolve, its capacity to improve patient outcomes and efficiently utilise resources remains the cornerstone of this healthcare revolution.
Keep an eye out for the details of our Spring Summit happening in November of this year. For more information, go totalkinghealthtech.com/summit.