We’ve been using a barebones system for a little over two years.  It was initially set up as a proof of concept between one of our Teammate Health Offices at one of three of our hospitals, and one of our urgent care centers where the physician was located.  For colds and flu, rashes, UTIs, and the usual suspects….it worked great.  My nurses use our standard EMR used for our physicians group…they reconcile meds, get the vitals, take pictures of ears, throats, etc…dip U/As, rapid streps and flus….before they get me on the line.  We have a couple of different stethoscopes, both are a little cumbersome to use…and we’re looking at other alternatives. 

 

I can get you the details of the hardware that we use, but it really is pretty inexpensive.  I also went to the American Telemedicine Assn mtg in Minneapolis last week and it was informative.  It is accurately portrayed as a “conference and trade show”  and there were a lot of vendors who probably won’t be there next year at this time.   Plenty of entrepreneurs pushing their unicorns and vaporware.   Plenty of shake-out to be expected.   But if you are just starting out, it’s worthwhile going to.  It’s in Orlando next year….there’s also a Fall Forum in New Orleans that will focus more on policy.   I based that on going to the FF last year in DC.

 

I suggest that you become a member of the ATA.  They have a fair amount of resources, boilerplate policies, etc., through their website. 

 

Here in Charleston at Roper, we are currently wrestling with two issues….scalability and figuring our fair market value for the service.   I learned from our Benefits Mgr and the attys that things get  complicated with regard to ACA, taxable benefits, what to do with employees who participate in your benefit plan, and those who do not.    

 

Based upon the overall strategy for your organization above and beyond your employees, there are many options, again, beyond the scope of an email, but I can talk with whoever’s interested off-line.

 

On the other hand, telemed has worked like a champ for  management of work related injuries, post-exposure assessments, and interviewing job applicants who have come to us with red flags identified by my terrific nurses who review their personal and occ health questionnaires… I literally can be at three…and soon to be four locations in our health system without leaving my office chair.

 

It’s a great fit for an APP who may be doing lots of different things in the course of a work day.

 

Hope this helps for starters.

 

Ed Galaid

 

Edward I. Galaid, MD, MPH
ABIM, ABPM

Medical Director, Occupational Health Partners

Roper St. Francis Healthcare   Charleston, SC

Member, ACOEM Task Group on Medical Guidance for Law Enforcement Officers

Member, NFPA 1582 Writing Group - NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Fighter Safety and Health

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