Needed Directions

Telehospice programming does not necessarily have to start from scratch. Instead, we need to look at ways to expand on the services that we already offer (such as providing them more frequently but for briefer periods by tele-videophone, for instance). And, we must document what strides we achieve and how we did so, so that others in the field can replicate in their own agencies. The need for protocols, standards, and replicability is the message from William Hersh and his team in their: Telemedicine for the Medicare Population (2001). Rockville: Agency for Healthcare QualityResearch (AHRQ). It can be ordered online or by phone (and delivered for free):800-358-9295. Ask for Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 24,Telemedicine for the Medicare Population (AHRQ Publication No. 01-E012).Or, take a look at a summary online at: http://www.ahcpr.gov/clinic/epcsums/telemedsum.htm.

Establishing in-house policies and procedures for telehealth is a first and needed step for targeting services to patients who could benefit most from more frequent and customized contact (early morning contacts, with information in small quantities might work best for some, for instance). See examples of suggestions for telecare planning for home care patients in Kinsella, A. Home Telehealthcare: Process, Policy, and Procedures. (2003) Sample pages are on telecare planning are available on request, by clicking here.

NOTE: An upcoming volume from Audrey Kinsella, for home telehospice, titled Telehospice: A Resource Manual for Program Development and Implementation will be available in June 2004. A telehospice pathway that has been developed by Innovative Solutions, Inc./VNAFirst will also be availalbe at that time. Please contact us for more information and a view of the Contents page.

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