the adoption and acceleration of virtual care in a covid
TRANSCRIPT
The adoption and acceleration of Virtual Care in a COVID-19 world
Melanie GatesGeneral Manager, Virtual Care Solutions, Telstra Health
12/10/2020Page 2
PwC, The shift to virtual care in response to COVID-19: https://www.pwc.com.au/important-problems/business-economic-recovery-coronavirus-covid-19/shift-virtual-care-response.html
"Up until 2020, it was an accepted part
of Australian culture to
receive healthcare in a face-to-face
setting in the provider’s rooms or clinic.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an
unforeseen culture interloper."
- PwC
12/10/2020Page 3
Virtual health at Telstra Health encompasses:
Virtual clinical services, such as virtual consultation and coordination services.
Virtual health monitoring, to help enable the remote monitoring of a patient’s condition.
Virtual health connection, which includes the provision of communication, documentation and messaging services.
Our definition of virtual care focuses on connecting
providers and patients through technology,
enabling providers to support, manage and
empower patients
60-80%
outpatient
appts.
delivered with
VC tech
State of play since COVID-19:
States at a glance
• Clinical Excellence Queensland, Queensland Health: https://clinicalexcellence.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/telehealth-workers-
thanked-following-huge-surge-demand-due-covid
• NSW Government: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/nsw-to-lead-nation-virtual-healthcare
• Government of South Australia: http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/1200_increase_in_telehealth_services
• Tasmanian Government: http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/1200_increase_in_telehealth_services
• Dean Koh, Healthcare IT: https://www.healthcareit.com.au/article/wa%E2%80%99s-acceleration-towards-digital-health-ten-years-
reforms-ten-days
150% ^ in
telehealth
services
160% ^ in
telehealth
consults +
300% ^ in use
of virtual clinic
sessions
4% of
outpatient
services
delivered
through VC
(previously
0.25%)
1200% ^ in
telehealth appts
+ 369,000 kms
travel saved +
45,456 hours
travel saved
Increase in patient use cases utilising Virtual Care capabilities
After hours GP
services in rural
& remote areas
Mental health Chronic disease
management
Respiratory
hospital
avoidance
Advanced
Orthopedic
Recovery Program
Rehab in the Home Hospital in the
Home (Adults
and Pediatrics)
Geriatrics in the
Home
Remote
medication
management
(Aged Care)
Palliative care
Patients are enrolled in the program & using the appropriate bio-metric devices alongside health check surveys & other interactive components, patients are guided through their care journey.
Our Virtual Health Monitoring capability (My Care Manager) connects healthcare providers with patients via a secure digital health platform enabling the healthcare provider to monitor the health & wellbeing of their patients remotely.
Clinicians actively monitor patients in real time via a clinical dashboard, allowing monitoring of well-being & intervention when there are signs of deterioration.
Page 9
Case study 1 – VHM in acute HITH program
• 44-year-old male
• Upper limb cellulitis
• No co-morbidities
• Admitted to Hospital in the Home Program (trial)
for VHM
• IV Antibiotics
• Undergoing regular observations and health
checks
12/10/2020
12/10/2020Page 10
o Elevated heart rate of 127
o Blood oxygen levels 92
o Hypertensive (165/110)
o Temperature of 39 degrees
• Despite a deteriorating clinical presentation, this patient
had not reached out for help, so the clinical team called
him…
• Patient deterioration identified early
• Accurate clinical assessment made remotely
• Ambulance transport arranged from hospital
• Intervention and treatment occurred several hours faster than
the standard HITH model
• Clinician did not need to travel to the patient’s residence
• Sepsis avoided
• Patient made full recovery
Paradigm shift from reactive to proactive response
12/10/2020Page 12
Case Study 2: Chronic Disease Management at Goondir Health Services
“Chronic conditions, such as diabetes,
kidney disease and heart disease,
cause significant illness and mortality in
Aboriginal communities. To help our
patients with chronic conditions stay
healthy and remain out of hospital,
regularly monitoring of their vitals, such
as blood pressure, temperature and
heart rate, is crucial.”
- Goondir Health Services
“Our ongoing goal is ensuring the patient remains at the centre of all healthcare, no matter where they are in their health journey or where they are located. New technologies such as telemonitoring and telemedicine have clear advantages in these situations and help allow high-risk and vulnerable patients to access health care in a safe, timely and convenient manner.”
- Goondir Health Services
Benefits and Value of Virtual Care
12/10/2020
• Deloitte Virtual Care Summary: https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/life-sciences-and-healthcare/solutions/virtual-care.html
• University of Melbourne Report: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-are-australia-s-doctors-faring-during-covid-19
• RACGP Survey: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/young-people-embrace-telehealth-with-their-gps
$3 billion
savings
84% of Aus
Doctors think
VC services
are valuable
Return on
Investment: 23%
National Data Acute Care@Home
52% patients
'very
satisfied’
with
telehealth
Direct cost
savings: $177.59
per admission
Re-
admissions:
↓ 53%
Ambulance call-
outs: ↓ 25%
Transfers
in: ↓ 56%
Home visits:
↓42%
Respiratory
Connect@Home
Return on
Investment: 42%
Direct cost
savings:
> $23,000
All cause ED
presentation:
↓55%
Resp-related ED
presentation:
↓33%
94% care plan
adherence
>1 avoided ED
presentations/m
onth
+ think it
should
be funded
by Medicare
+ 45%
'somewhat
satisfied'
12/10/2020Page 15
How do we sustain and grow virtual care?What we have learnt from working with providers
Virtual Care VisionChange
ManagementEngage clinicians
earlyUse data
Focus on the model of care as much as
the technologyTailor services
Monitor and measure the effectiveness
Technology is an enabler
12/10/2020
Thank you
Visit the Telstra Health exhibition during the lunch break for Q&A