The potential for remotely connected applications is vast. Many hospitals plan to start working with them and are redeveloping care pathways; examples include the Ksyos TeleMedisch Centrum and the Mercy Virtual Care Center. The technologies used at these centres are not limited to remotely connected applications.
In 2015, the Mercy Virtual Care Center opened its doors in the USA, and it is regarded as one of the world’s first complete virtual hospitals. Mercy recognised there was a lack of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas. If patients and healthcare professionals could be helped remotely, it would also cut costs. Mercy Virtual aims to reduce costs, and the burden on both patients and professionals, by providing patients with healthcare when and where they need it. This should help reduce the number of hospital admissions required. The centre is under the direction of Dr Randall Moore, former director of American Telecare, and now includes many telemedicine programs such as als TeleStroke, TeleHospitalist and Nurse On Call [1].
“It’s like a hospital without beds”
– Dr Randall Moore
Mercy Virtual Hospital provides patients with tablet computers and, where necessary, installs a wide range of equipment such as sphygmomanometers and heart rate monitors in patients’ homes. The centre works with a patient portal. Patients can request an eConsult within 30 minutes, 24 hours a day. The results are integrated into the patient’s EHR immediately. Using the latest analytical software, and based on the information received, Mercy Virtual can predict which patients need a consultation. This enables the virtual centre to monitor tens of thousands of patients at their bedside at home.
Figures show that the concept of a virtual hospital works. Mercy Virtual has already resulted in lower death rates in accident and emergency (A&E) departments and earlier detection of disease [2]. Dr Moore wants to shift to a system whereby a hospital is only required for treatments that are absolutely essential. By dealing with issues promptly and remotely, much less needs to be done in the hospital setting. According to Mercy, this approach results in 33% fewer A&E department visits and hospital admissions [3].
“The virtual care centre will improve the patient experience by taking the care to the patient, instead of the patient going to the care, which decentralizes care.”
– Dr Randall Moore
Responses to the concept, however, have been mixed. Although some patients really like the technological aspect, others do not. Moreover, not everyone is equally skilful in using the technology. Research has also shown that many telemedicine initiatives overlook things, miss diagnoses and do not allow patients to choose a doctor themselves [4].
Over the next years, Mercy Virtual will attempt to expand its services nationally. In order to do so, the centre is now working in close collaboration with Penn State Health and University of North Carolina Health Care, and also offering its services there.
“Virtual care will be critical to the future of healthcare. Healthcare providers must provide better quality and higher value to more people and by forming interdependent partnerships without walls, we will evolve healthcare to a new place that will bring better care to patients everywhere.”
– Dr Randall Moore
References
- Services – Mercy Virtual [Internet]. [cited 2017 nov 4]. Available from: https://www.mercyvirtual.net/nurse-on-call/
- Beck M. How Telemedicine Is Transforming Health Care. The Wall Street Journal. June 2016
- Van den Elsen W. Virtueel ziekenhuis halveert seh-opnames. Zorgvisie. Augustus 2017
- Resneck J.S. et al. Choice, Transparency, Coordination, and Quality Among Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Websites and Apps Treating Skin Disease. JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(7):768-775
