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Assessing Telehealth - Kentucky

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Assessing Telehealth – Kentucky.

Introduction

These days it is feasible for people to acquire the health care they need via telemedicine

and telehealth. Healthcare delivery may be compromised as a result. Healthcare quality is being

enhanced by making it easier to get there, cutting down on travel time, delivering clinical

support, eliminating geographic barriers, offering different forms of communication technology,

and boosting the outcomes of the patients. Because of this, telemedicine is a good alternative in

terms of cutting expenses, enhancing treatment for everyone, and meeting people's requirements.

Long-term care management and patient satisfaction are improved by telemedicine. There are

also new ways for patients to get health data and connect with practitioners via email, chats, or

video conferences, which makes it easier for them to get the information they need and decreases

travel time for both providers. More and more people are taking ownership of their health care

thanks to online sickness management solutions. As a result, medical providers can treat less

unwell people sooner. Additionally, web-based programs make it easier for customers to obtain

their services. Many states use telehealth services; I will look at Kentucky.

Term and definition

Telehealth can be described as using mobile devices and computers to obtain remote

access to medical services. This includes technologies one uses in their own home and those

employed by their doctor to enhance or augment healthcare services. Physicians can now employ

telehealth, and health insurance companies cannot deny coverage for telehealth services in

Kentucky, which became one of the first states to do so in 2018. Telehealth services have been

made more accessible by state and federal governments during the COVID-19 pandemic of

2020. Telemedicine allows a physician in Kentucky to care for a patient in another area via
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telecommunications infrastructure. As part of 907 KAR 300E, effective March 19, 2020,

according to Kentucky's guidance, telehealth services may include the use of devices, including

remote patient monitoring, as fitting; or any other telehealth provision for which an indication

base exists to justify the safety and efficacy of the service when provided as an asymptote; or any

other telehealth service for which an evidence base exists to justify the (Yu et al., 2018). : those

services otherwise designated as face-to-face only throughout Title 907 KAR; Although this may

put patient information at risk, privacy constraints have been removed to allow users to access

standard web video services rather than medical-specific video sites. On a case-by-case basis, the

specialist must assess whether telehealth is suitable for the patient's well-being desires.

Prescription medicine, wellness visits, mental health and dietary counseling, and other ailments

can all be treated through telehealth.

Kentucky nurses use telehealth solutions in accordance with their current scope of

practice while doing so. Telehealth allows nurses to collaborate with their patients by utilizing a

variety of contemporary technology. A high-definition camera and a Bluetooth stethoscope are

just some of the peripherals that can be used with these techniques. Patients who live in remote

or underserved locations can benefit from the services provided by telehealth nurses by having

their health status monitored and managed remotely. In addition to helping patients manage

chronic diseases and assist in care transitions, they also assist at the end of life. They also help.

When a qualified nurse knows how to make use of the latest technological breakthroughs,

telehealth can benefit both patients and healthcare providers.

The state of Kentucky has reaped numerous benefits from the implementation of

telehealth technologies. In the event of a medical emergency, telemedicine eliminates the need to

drive, park, walk, or wait in a hospital waiting room. Home visits with one's doctor are now
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possible. It is possible to squeeze in virtual visits even if one’s calendar is already full.

Kentuckians can maintain their appointments due to the availability of telemedicine, which

eliminates the need for time off work or childcare (Haleem et al., 2021). If one has been

diagnosed with a heart condition or has heart-related concerns, they do not have to leave the

house to obtain the care they need. It is now possible for people to communicate with doctors via

telemedicine or virtual health appointments.

Kentuckians may benefit from the convenience of telemedicine, which allows them to

consult with a professional from the privacy of their own homes. If a specific environmental

trigger causes allergies, a doctor may be able to identify it. Physical and occupational therapists

can check patients to determine whether or not they can walk on their own and take care of

themselves at home. Mental health screening and counseling can both benefit from this

approach. In this circumstance, telemedicine may also be helpful.

In Kentucky, patients with impairments should be able to get better access to healthcare.

Healthcare for those with disabilities is now easier to access because of technological advances

in telemedicine. Elderly and jailed people alike will benefit from this program's efforts. A wide

range of medical conditions can be helped through telemedicine. A skilled medical expert is

required to provide correct information regarding a patient's symptoms in order for treatment to

be effective. Shorter hospital stays may save medical costs for those who use telemedicine

(Haleem et al., 2021). Lower petrol prices may be a side effect of saving time on the road.

Infectious illness outbreaks can be more easily contained. Pre-meeting flu and covid-19

checks can be done via telemedicine visits in Kentucky. As a result, sick employees are not

obligated by law to show up for work. Everybody benefits, but individuals with weakened

immune systems, the elderly, or those who are ill are especially at risk because germs are less
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likely to spread if they are less exposed. Some familial bonds are stronger than others. A person

should never see a doctor without a family member. Their job is to help receive the information

needed, ask questions, and record what the doctor says. Even if the other person lives on the

opposite side of the country, those who are close to them can join in a virtual visit.

The treatment of long-term conditions in primary health care. The well-being of a family

depends heavily on the work of primary care providers like pediatricians. Telemedicine makes it

easy to get medical care from a doctor or nurse practitioner. Protocols are in place to ensure that

new patients are seen as fast as possible by the next available doctor for their convenience.

Telehealth is a convenient and cost-effective option to consult with a doctor without

having to leave your home, but it is not without its drawbacks. Every form of a visit is

impossible to complete from a distance. It is still vital for doctors to perform imaging exams and

blood tests in the office, as well as identify patients who require a more hands-on approach to

healthcare. The transmission of health information over the internet is a severe security problem.

The COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in a surge in insurance coverage for telehealth visits, with

some services incurring out-of-pocket charges as a result of the increase in insurance coverage.

As a result, telehealth is plagued with legal and regulatory issues, such as an

overwhelming number of standards and norms on how to practice. Telehealth has legal

ramifications that medical professionals should be aware of and prepared for. Because of this,

patients will have access to top-notch treatment, and licensing issues and litigation will be

avoided. State-by-state variations in telehealth norms and legislation are to be expected.

Restrictions currently in place in Kentucky could be changed at any time. Thus, reaching a

consensus on standards and norms in the healthcare industry is difficult. There is a greater danger

of legal liability and other complications due to the quick increase of telemedicine in Kentucky
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during the epidemic of covid-19 and the subsequent proliferation of rules and standards. The

safety of their patients is the responsibility of the healthcare providers, who should be familiar

with and abide by all local, state, and federal legislation.

Not all states grant the right to practice telemedicine. The capacity to provide medical

treatment to patients across borders and to exchange clinical expertise are only two of the many

benefits of telehealth. As a result, medical professionals in Kentucky are unable to treat patients

who reside in these states. Providers need to get and maintain licenses in many states in order to

provide telehealth services, which requires medical school and other costs. The interstate medical

licensure agreement was created so that physicians and physician assistants could practice

telemedicine throughout the country without having to go through the medical licensing process

in each state. Medical licenses and disciplinary actions could fall within the purview of state

medical boards as part of the accord. They would have to share data and procedures in order to

get licensed and stay in compliance with rules. NPS is unable to take part in this agreement

because they hold nursing licenses rather than medical licenses. There are more concerns with

NPS than with doctors or therapists due to the broad variation of state rules and practicing

authority. Several restrictions have been temporarily changed as a result of covid-19. For the

most up-to-date telehealth regulations, one should contact the state's board of nursing.

Respect for the privacy and confidentiality of patients. Compared to telemedicine, face-

to-face consultations are less likely to cause issues with confidentiality and security (Hall &

McGraw, 2014). It is impossible to ensure the security of any healthcare platform, no matter how

well-protected it is, because holes will always exist. Because they are new to telehealth tools,

many are anxious about their privacy and security. Virtual health care consultations are protected

by several laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and
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the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Both in-person and online conversations

involving patient medical information are shielded from unauthorized access under these rules

(Health Value Hub, 2017). These statutes apply to covered entities, such as health care plans,

clearinghouses, and doctors, who use electronic resources to send and receive health care

information. It is necessary to be knowledgeable about both state and federal regulations when

working in telehealth. When telehealth providers use a telehealth paradigm, regulations, patient

privacy, and system security must always be safeguarded.

Patients and providers have a lot of contacts. Before a provider-patient relationship is

established in some states, the patient must be examined or evaluated by a health care

professional, such as a physician. If one is going to prescribe any medication, they need to know

the rules for connecting with the patients (Sarhan,2009). For instance, a doctor must first meet

with a patient in order to prescribe Arkansas.

Future recommendations

Many states' telemedicine rules must be changed or expanded to benefit from these

advantages fully. For example, telemedicine should be incorporated into all payment models to

ensure cost-effective outcomes and reimbursement levels. Making telemedicine more widely

available while maintaining high patient safety standards by removing licensing and regional

restrictions. Telemedicine regulations should be linked with guidelines that sufficiently extend

the scope of practice of healthcare providers. Ensure that rural communities have access to high-

speed internet through national efforts (Schwamm et al., 2017). Watch out for potential privacy

violations and restrictions affecting patient privacy when transmitting and storing data in the

context of telemedicine.
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The general level of satisfaction with telehealth, as well as the perceived time- and cost-

saving benefits cited by Kentuckians, indicate that it has the potential to play a larger role in

health care access and services beyond COVID-19, especially in rural areas. As a result,

telehealth's efficacy must be improved. Patients and medical practitioners should be examined on

their experiences with telemedicine. It is necessary to assess provider perceptions of telehealth.

To see if it is worth incorporating into a regular practice. A growing body of knowledge about

the use of telehealth in rural areas needs to be available. Hopefully, this information will assist in

determining the best course of action in addressing healthcare inequities among a significant

portion of the population of the United States of America.

References

F. Sarhan. (2009). Telemedicine in healthcare. 1: Exploring its uses, benefits and

disadvantages. Nursing times, 105(42), 10-13.

Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for Healthcare:

Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2, 100117.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117

Hall, J. L., & McGraw, D. (2014). For telehealth to succeed, privacy and security risks must be

identified and addressed. Health Affairs, 33(2), 216–221.

https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0997

HealthValueHub. Home. (2017, November 22). Retrieved April 27, 2022, from

https://www.healthcarevaluehub.org/advocate-resources/publications/telemedicine-

decreasing-barriers-and-increasing-access-healthcare

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2019, from

https://www.cchpca.org/about/about-telehealth/remote-patient-monitoring-rpm

Schwamm, L. H., Chumbler, N., Brown, E., Fonarow, G. C., Berube, D., Nystrom, K., Suter, R.,

Zavala, M., Polsky, D., Radhakrishnan, K., Lacktman, N., Horton, K., Malcarney, M.-B.,

Halamka, J., & Tiner, A. C. (2017). Recommendations for the implementation of telehealth

in cardiovascular and stroke care: A policy statement from the American Heart

Association. Circulation, 135(7). https://doi.org/10.1161/cir.0000000000000475

Yu, j., mink, p. J., huckfeldt, p. J., gildemeister, s., & abraham, j. M. (2018). Population-level

estimates of telemedicine service provision using an all-payer claims database. Health

Affairs, 37(12), 1931–1939. Https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05116