The advancement of technology and wound care has led to a new way of treating patients: telemedicine. For decades, chronic wounds were managed in hospital-based outpatient settings, with patients seeing a doctor in person for diagnosis and treatment. After Covid-19 was introduced, all of this changed. A growing need to treat patients remotely forced the healthcare industry to prioritize tele-medicine. Wound care was no exception. Today, we’ll explore how wound care providers are implementing telemedicine into their practices, and the benefits of adopting this untraditional form of treatment.
The practice of telemedicine involves virtual consultations between patients and physicians, using online tools like video conferencing. People with wounds often benefit from telemedicine as many lack the ability to travel easily to hospitals or clinics, and many Long-Term Care patients may struggle to even get out of their beds. Wound care providers who are trained and certified can help patients right at their bedside, regardless of their location. Virtual visits enable doctors to examine wounds and recommend treatment via video and patients can talk to their doctors virtually and to send images of their wounds as they progress. Overall, the marriage of telemedicine and wound care is shown to enhance the quality of life for patients with chronic wounds while maintaining high wound care standards.
Telehealth in wound care has numerous benefits, including easier access with reduced travel, lower costs to the patient and the receiving facility, a familiar environment for the patient, and reduced anxiety for the patient. Here are a few others:
Reduced Cost - Eliminates the need for travel and prevents re-hospitalizations for Long-Term care facilities
Reduced Risks - Telehealth lowers the risk of illness and exposure.
Comfortable Surroundings - Telehealth produces less anxiety for patients and caregivers because they do not have to travel as far and they are in a familiar environment.
Improved Patient Satisfaction - Telehealth for wound care has been shown to give patients a high level of satisfaction (98.2%), as well as a higher rate of healing, due to more frequent and earlier visits.
During a recent conversation with one of our top wound care providers, he provided some interesting insights regarding how Telemedicine can bring benefits to patients and providers…
Long after Covid-19, telemedicine will continue to be an essential tool to streamline outpatient visits, while at the same time limiting costs for facilities. As leaders in the industry, Skilled Wound Care has developed and perfected its telemedicine to deliver quality clinical services when distance is a crucial factor.
Are you a facility in need of virtual wound care? Perhaps you're a provider looking to be a part of the latest advancements in medicine? If so, contact us today to learn how you can get the most of out telemedicine.
Skilled Wound Care is a mobile surgical practice committed to transforming the chronic wound care model in nursing facilities. Wound care experts make weekly bedside visits to patients in long-term care facilities, avoiding transfers to hospitals or clinics. Our expert physicians give patients the most up-to-date and effective wound treatments, and educate facility staff on how to help patients continue to heal quickly and effectively between visits. This model of collaborative care allows SWC’s physicians to improve patients’ lives and health outcomes, to empower nursing staff, and to raise public awareness. Skilled Wound Care, along with its nurse and nursing home partners, is working every day to positively transform traditional nursing home wound care.