Telemedicine – Healthcare for Covid 19 & beyond

Telemedicine refers to the practice of caring for patients remotely when the healthcare provider(Doctor) and patient are not physically present with each other. Modern technology has enabled doctors to consult patients by using HIPAA compliant video-conferencing tools. Telemedicine enables patients to get remote diagnosis and treatment using telecommunications technology. Basically, it means conducting visits using audio and video over the internet, rather than meeting in person.

In order to be ready for this level of disruption, the use of technology can be a boon. Tele-consultation can be one such solution, which can alleviate multiple risks:

• Doctors / Hospital staff exposure to the virus will be reduced
• Patient visit load is taken care of by the Call Centre
• Patients can have video consulting from their homes, also reducing their exposure to the virus. This shall support the self/home quarantine situation.

This solution can be hosted on the cloud or on-premises. Hospitals or any Government authority needs to set up a mini epidemic management center with computers for Nurses or medical officers and Doctors and a few phone numbers or a toll-free number.

To use this the solution, the following are the components, Health Authorities need to prepare for are:

• Call Center solution
• Tele Consultation Suite including education Portal
• Infrastructure such as Servers, Internet Bandwidth, Laptop with a webcam per Doctor/Nurse, Toll-free number, office space
• Resources to receive phone calls, register patients on the system
• Medical staff to assess patient conditions
• Prepare Medical Guidelines and protocols based on information and symptoms and categorize them into various categories such as:
  • A. Has not traveled abroad, Not in close contact with positive Corona patients, No symptoms
  • B. Has not traveled abroad, but in close contact with positive Corona patients, No symptoms
  • C. Has traveled abroad and has symptoms
  • D. Has traveled abroad and has no symptoms
• Training to the medical staff on government guidelines and protocols to manage various cases

For More information
Manorama LifeLine Telemedicine Platform
https://manoramahealthcare.com/lifeline-telemedicine.php

Coronavirus disease: Awareness resources
https://www.kolhapurcovid19care.com/

References:

• Corona Teleconsultation Concept Note-V1
• Lifelie Telemedicine - General Presentation - V1
• Concept Video - Corona-Teleconsultation Hub