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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 information and communicate with practitioners via email,

interactive chats, or videoconferences, 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 telecommunications infrastructure.
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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 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. With 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 take 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 possible. It is

possible to squeeze in virtual visits even if your calendar is already full. Kentuckians can maintain
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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 allergies are caused by a

specific environmental trigger, 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 likely to

spread if they are less exposed. Some familial bonds are stronger than others. You should never

see the doctor without a family member. Their job is to help receive the information needed, ask
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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.

There are certain drawbacks to using telehealth. Physical tests are not possible due to a

variety of factors, including, but not limited to, technical difficulties, security flaws, and

government regulations. Some detractors of telemedicine believe that it would make it more

difficult for patients to receive the same level of care as they had previously. In their opinion,

internet relationships are insecure because they lack a thorough medical history and physical

examination by a virtual physician. The usage of telehealth should only be employed when a face-

to-face interaction is impossible. Telehealth is the best alternative when auscultation or palpation

is required.

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 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 during the epidemic of covid-19 and the subsequent

proliferation of rules and standards. The safety of their patients is the responsibility of the
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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 are 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 of 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, contact your 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 with 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 the

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Both in-person and online conversations
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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 with both state and federal regulations when

working in telehealth. Regulations, patient privacy, and system security must always be

safeguarded when telehealth providers use a telehealth paradigm.

Patients and providers have a lot of contact. 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, you need to know the rules for

connecting with your 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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As proved in Kentucky, telemedicine is a key tool for patients to make long-term lifestyle

adjustments. Those who work in medical facilities would greatly benefit from it. This frees up

personnel' time to work on more critical tasks rather than checking in patients. Using online visits,

physicians can treat their own patients while also supporting other practices in crisis. The use of

technical means to give information on diagnosis, treatment, and sickness prevention can help

bridge the gap between patients and clinicians. Thanks to the most comprehensive telemedicine

application, people in remote locations can now receive high-quality health care that would

otherwise be unavailable. An increase in healthcare quality can be attributed to a technology that

can transmit information over long distances. Visits to underserved areas are now easier to plan

and carry out because of this. It is more common for people with mobility issues to get medical

advice and medications sooner than other patients. They oversee all the medication, tests, and

treatments. Virtually eliminating the need for travel between doctors and patients is only one of

the many benefits of telemedicine.

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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

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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