You have been assigned as one member of a 3-4-member
nursing IT team at the local community hospital. The hospital is in
a rural area with the closest Tier-1 hospital (trauma center) three
hours away. In the past four years, there has been a noticeable
increase in the incidence rate of young adults with asthma
“attacks.” The nursing unit managers have performed research on
the issue and have determined that asthma patients readmitted
within 30 days with asthma exacerbations occurred most
noticeably during the winter months and on the weekends.
Further investigation showed that additional potential factors to
the asthma exacerbations appear to be brought on by the use of
e-cigarette's and hookah smoking, and for patients with allergies.
The nursing managers have expressed a desire to incorporate
Telehealth measures and phone applications as a means of
educating the young adult populations on ways to control asthma
outbreaks. The team has researched the literature and noted that
Telehealth was introduced at other facilities with great success
and helped to improve outcomes for patients with the signs and
symptoms of asthma exacerbations. The nursing IT team will be
required to create and present a PowerPoint presentation to
nurse administration about the proposed plan.
This is a group project. The group is expected to create a voicedover PowerPoint presentation on using Telehealth technology
and/or phone applications to educate patients and improve on the
incidence and/or readmission rates of patients presenting with
asthma exacerbations through the emergency room
A summary of the key issues.
- Discuss the implications the technology would have on
health promotion (both positive and negative).
- How will the use of the technology address the key
issues?
- Identify the proposed telehealth technology. Research real
solutions or propose a solution for technology that may not
yet exist.
- Describe a minimum of 5 key tasks needed to implement the
proposed technology based on the system life-cycle.
- What concerns might patients express about using the
described technology? What policies might the IT team
propose to address these concerns?
Discuss the usefulness of the proposed Tele health
technology to increase patient education and to monitor for
patient readmissions.
- How would training for the proposed solution be conducted
for patients and nursing staff?
- What are potential issues with developing and sustaining a
tele-health program?
Full Answer Section
Implications of Telehealth Technology
Positive Implications:
- Improved access to care: Telehealth can bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, especially in rural areas.
- Enhanced patient education: Interactive platforms can deliver tailored asthma education.
- Early intervention: Remote monitoring can detect early signs of exacerbation, allowing for timely intervention.
- Reduced healthcare costs: Telehealth can potentially lower costs by reducing emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
Negative Implications:
- Digital divide: Access to technology and internet connectivity may vary among patients.
- Privacy and security concerns: Protecting patient data is essential.
- Lack of physical examination: Telehealth cannot replace in-person assessments for all conditions.
Addressing Key Issues with Telehealth Technology
Telehealth technology can address the issue of asthma exacerbations by:
- Providing accessible education: Delivering tailored asthma management information to patients.
- Enabling remote monitoring: Tracking patient symptoms and vital signs for early intervention.
- Facilitating communication: Enhancing interaction between patients and healthcare providers.
Proposed Telehealth Technology
A mobile application with integrated telehealth features is proposed. The app would include:
- Asthma education modules: Interactive content on asthma triggers, medication use, and self-management.
- Symptom tracking: Patients can record daily symptoms, peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), and medication usage.
- Video consultations: Real-time video consultations with healthcare providers for acute exacerbations or medication adjustments.
- Messaging: Secure messaging for communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Key Tasks for Implementation
- Needs assessment: Identify patient and healthcare provider requirements.
- App development: Design and develop the mobile application.
- Staff training: Educate healthcare providers on app usage and telehealth protocols.
- Patient education: Develop educational materials and training for patients.
- IT infrastructure: Ensure secure data storage and transmission.
Patient Concerns and Mitigation
Patients may be concerned about:
- Privacy: Address concerns by implementing robust data security measures and transparently communicating privacy policies.
- Technology proficiency: Offer training and support to help patients navigate the app.
Sample Answer
The primary issue is the increasing incidence of asthma exacerbations among young adults in a rural area, leading to high readmission rates, particularly during winter months and weekends. Contributing factors include e-cigarette and hookah smoking, as well as allergies. The goal is to implement telehealth technology to educate patients, improve asthma management, and reduce readmission rates.