PINEHURST – FirstHealth Home Care Services has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the successful clinical results of its Telehealth program.
In addition to being featured on the DHHS Health Resources and Services (HRSA) website, FirstHealth Home Care also received accolades as the focus of a quality newsletter and webinar hosted by the government agency.
“The HRSA exposure shares FirstHealth’s Telehealth success with a national audience,” says Patty Upham, director of FirstHealth Home Care. “We’re proud of our accomplishments and honored to share our efforts and results with so many hospitals and rural providers.”
The recent recognition showcased FirstHealth Home Care’s benchmark work in reducing hospitalizations, improving care coordination and enhancing access to care through the Telehealth program. In 2009, the program received a three-year, $750,000 HRSA Telehealth Network Grant that allowed FirstHealth to expand its innovative approach in a service region that covers Moore, Montgomery, Richmond, Scotland, Lee and Hoke counties.
Telehealth is medical technology used to monitor vital signs from a patient’s home and transmit the data to a nurse for review. When used in conjunction with standardized clinical pathways for patients with chronic illness, Telehealth allows patients and providers to monitor subtle changes in a patient’s health – such as weight, heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, blood oxygen or blood sugar levels. The interventions allow medical professionals to provide appropriate medical treatments that can prevent a potential hospitalization or emergency care visit.
Since the beginning of FirstHealth’s Telehealth program, more than 2,000 patients have benefited from the innovative service, bringing a new level of comfort and care to individuals with chronic conditions. This reduces the cost of health care while improving patients’ quality of life.
For more information on FirstHealth’s Telehealth program, please call (800) 876-2212.
