Washington DC VA Medical Center
Medical Center VA's Home Telehealth Program Improves Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction
January 22, 2020
It is no secret that traffic in the DC-area often makes it difficult for Veterans with chronic health conditions to get to their VA providers without fighting traffic congestion. Luckily, improvements in technology and Home Telehealth have made it easier than ever for Veterans to stay connected to their Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DC VAMC) health care team.
DC VAMC’s Home Telehealth allows the more than 1,100 Veterans enrolled in its program to easily communicate with their providers using the secure VA Video Connect app or a remote monitoring equipment box installed in the Veteran’s home. It is easy, convenient and confidential. Best of all, Home Telehealth often reduces complications and hospitalizations as well as improves patient outcomes.
Home Telehealth has been very effective in preventing small health issues from becoming major issues which might have required hospitalization. In fact, DC-area Veterans enrolled in Home Telehealth for non-institutional care needs and chronic care management had a 38 percent decrease in VA bed days of care, and a 28 percent decrease in VA hospital admissions.
The data received by the VA health team is continuously monitored, and if the nurse notices something amiss such as high glucose levels in a diabetic, or low oxygen saturation readings in a patient with COPD, the nurse will give the Veteran a call to help resolve the issue. Home Telehealth promotes therapeutic relationships and enables shared decision-making between the patient and the practitioner.
In essence, Home Telehealth keeps Veterans healthier and independent for longer. Although it is a highly successful program, it is not suitable for everyone or every health condition.
Home Telehealth helps Veterans and their providers manage difficult or chronic health conditions such as: high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, tobacco use cessation, substance abuse and other conditions.
Home Telehealth is becoming increasingly popular as more Veterans learn about the program. Nationwide in FY 2019, the number of Veterans using VA Video Connect increased by 235 percent. More than 99,000 Veterans nationwide have used the app at home, eliminating a trip to their nearest VA facility. Overall Veterans are highly satisfied with the program with 88 percent reporting they are highly satisfied with the progra
To interview a subject-matter expert about Home Telehealth, contact the Office of Public Affairs and Community Relations, 202-745-4037. To learn more about VA Home Telehealth, please visit: https://telehealth.va.gov/type/home.
