Research Hub > Optimizing Outcomes as Connected Care Evolves | CDW

February 07, 2024

White Paper
12 min

Optimizing Outcomes as Connected Care Evolves

By connecting technologies across workflows, healthcare providers can improve the experiences of patients and clinicians.

IN THIS ARTICLE

The ways that healthcare providers use technology continue to evolve. Connected care solutions such as telehealth and remote patient monitoring tools have become much more widely implemented in recent years, enabling clinicians to deliver care and connect with patients more efficiently and seamlessly. The next step in this evolution requires providers to connect these tools throughout their workflows, to back-end systems as well as security solutions.

As healthcare providers find new ways to implement connected care, they must be strategic. They need to understand how deploying new tools such as automated solutions powered by artificial intelligence will affect the experience of patients and clinicians, and they must plan to overcome obstacles such as staffing shortages and cultural resistance. Providers also must find ways to optimize the technology tools they use, such as software that can be integrated throughout entire workflows and endpoint devices that bring new capabilities to clinicians. Finally, these solutions must be secure, protecting the valuable data of patients and providers.

How can your organization maximize the value of connected care?

The ways that healthcare providers use technology continue to evolve. Connected care solutions such as telehealth and remote patient monitoring tools have become much more widely implemented in recent years, enabling clinicians to deliver care and connect with patients more efficiently and seamlessly. The next step in this evolution requires providers to connect these tools throughout their workflows, to back-end systems as well as security solutions.

As healthcare providers find new ways to implement connected care, they must be strategic. They need to understand how deploying new tools such as automated solutions powered by artificial intelligence will affect the experience of patients and clinicians, and they must plan to overcome obstacles such as staffing shortages and cultural resistance. Providers also must find ways to optimize the technology tools that they use, such as software that can be integrated throughout entire workflows and endpoint devices that bring new capabilities to clinicians. Finally, these solutions must be secure, protecting the valuable data of patients and providers.

How can your organization maximize
the value of connected care?

mkt73337-health-connected-care-secondary2

Connected Care Continues to Evolve

Healthcare organizations made unprecedented investments in technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly rolling out telehealth tools and other connected care solutions that enabled patients and providers to connect while staying safe.

Although the use of these connected care solutions has declined somewhat from a pandemic peak, they are still being used in much larger numbers than before 2020, and many patients have come to rely on virtual options to conveniently access the care that they need — especially patients in rural areas, who may otherwise be forced to travel long distances to see specialists. Providing effective, quality connected care not only helps healthcare organizations to attract patients and clinicians but can also lower costs and improve outcomes for patients.

During the pandemic, hospitals and clinics raced to stand up connected care solutions as quickly as possible, but many of these systems remain disconnected from healthcare organizations’ larger IT environments. This may limit effectiveness, as interoperable systems and data sharing are becoming keys to success in the healthcare sector. Also, connected care solutions that are disconnected from organizations’ cybersecurity tools and processes may expose vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. To ensure quality care and data security, healthcare organizations must unify their IT environments and thoughtfully deploy cybersecurity tools and frameworks such as mobile device management and zero trust.

92%

The percentage of physicians who say that ease of use is important to ensuring patient access to telemedicine

Source: Doximity, 2023 State of Telemedicine Report, June 2023



It is also critical for healthcare and IT leaders to keep up with the ongoing evolution of connected care. In addition to telehealth solutions, which facilitate direct patient-to-practitioner interaction, healthcare providers are making progress in the use of remote patient monitoring and artificial intelligence tools. With RPM, clinicians can extend their reach beyond the traditional bounds of medical facilities, keeping tabs on important patient data. And with the help of AI, they can rapidly analyze this data to arrive at informed insights (and even predictions) about patient outcomes. Together, these technologies form a connected ecosystem that can transform care, making it more proactive, personalized and patient-centric.

Financial pressure is one of the top concerns that healthcare organizations face. Connected care can help reduce the cost of care delivery. Also, grant funding from programs such as the Healthcare Connect Fund can provide financial assistance to healthcare organizations, enhance broadband connectivity, improve community outreach and ultimately provide telehealth to more patients who need it.

What strategies can help your organization improve its use of connected care?

Connected Care Continues to Evolve

Healthcare organizations made unprecedented investments in technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly rolling out telehealth tools and other connected care solutions that enabled patients and providers to connect while staying safe.

Although the use of these connected care solutions has declined somewhat from a pandemic peak, they are still being used in much larger numbers than before 2020, and many patients have come to rely on virtual options to conveniently access the care that they need — especially patients in rural areas, who may otherwise be forced to travel long distances to see specialists. Providing effective, quality connected care not only helps healthcare organizations to attract patients and clinicians but can also lower costs and improve outcomes for patients.

During the pandemic, hospitals and clinics raced to stand up connected care solutions as quickly as possible, but many of these systems remain disconnected from healthcare organizations’ larger IT environments. This may limit effectiveness, as interoperable systems and data sharing are becoming keys to success in the healthcare sector. Also, connected care solutions that are disconnected from organizations’ cybersecurity tools and processes may expose vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. To ensure quality care and data security, healthcare organizations must unify their IT environments and thoughtfully deploy cybersecurity tools and frameworks such as mobile device management and zero trust.

92%

The percentage of physicians who say that ease of use is important to ensuring patient access to telemedicine

Source: Doximity, 2023 State of Telemedicine Report, June 2023



It is also critical for healthcare and IT leaders to keep up with the ongoing evolution of connected care. In addition to telehealth solutions, which facilitate direct patient-to-practitioner interaction, healthcare providers are making progress in the use of remote patient monitoring and artificial intelligence tools. With RPM, clinicians can extend their reach beyond the traditional bounds of medical facilities, keeping tabs on important patient data. And with the help of AI, they can rapidly analyze this data to arrive at informed insights (and even predictions) about patient outcomes. Together, these technologies form a connected ecosystem that can transform care, making it more proactive, personalized and patient-centric.

Financial pressure is one of the top concerns that healthcare organizations face. Connected care can help reduce the cost of care delivery. Also, grant funding from programs such as the Healthcare Connect Fund can provide financial assistance to healthcare organizations, enhance broadband connectivity, improve community outreach and ultimately provide telehealth to more patients who need it.

What strategies can help
your organization improve
its use of connected care?

The State of Connected Care

62%

The percentage of U.S. residents expected to use telehealth services in 20241

Source: 1viosapp.com, “62% of Americans Will Use Telemedicine in 2024,” Sept. 6, 2023

28%

The percentage of patients who say that they choose telehealth over in-person appointments due to convenience2

Source: 2J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Study,” September 2023

80%

The percentage of telehealth users in 2022 who had four or fewer telehealth visits3

Source: 3Trilliant Health, “Trilliant Health 2023 Trends Shaping the Health Economy,” September 2023

46%

The decline in total telehealth visits from a peak in early 2020 to late 20223

Source: 3Trilliant Health, “Trilliant Health 2023 Trends Shaping the Health Economy,” September 2023

The State of Connected Care

62%

The percentage of U.S. residents expected to use telehealth services in 20241

Source: 1viosapp.com, “62% of Americans Will Use Telemedicine in 2024,” Sept. 6, 2023

28%

The percentage of patients who say that they choose telehealth over in-person appointments due to convenience2

Source: 2J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Study,” September 2023

80%

The percentage of telehealth users in 2022 who had four or fewer telehealth visits3

Source: 3Trilliant Health, “Trilliant Health 2023 Trends Shaping the Health Economy,” September 2023

46%

The decline in total telehealth visits from a peak in early 2020 to late 20223

Source: 3Trilliant Health, “Trilliant Health 2023 Trends Shaping the Health Economy,” September 2023

cdw

Strategies for Connected Care

Across the country, especially in rural areas, telehealth has significantly expanded options and accessibility for patients and clinicians. Videoconferencing and collaboration platforms, integrated with electronic health record (EHR) systems make it easy for patients to connect with general practitioners and specialists who may not be available in their immediate areas. Clinicians in rural settings can use telehealth to consult with specialists remotely, bringing the expertise of larger health systems to underserved areas.

Remote Patient Monitoring: RPM, which leverages videoconferencing and collaboration platforms and connected medical devices to manage at-home care, is becoming a more important component of healthcare offerings. Connected care support for chronic disease management, medical management and care coordination are among the top use cases for telehealth.

Virtual Rounding: This practice lets clinicians see patients without visiting their rooms in person. It saves doctors time and effort by enabling them to check in with patients quickly and easily while also maintaining social distancing practices that help prevent the spread of transmissible diseases.

Click Below to Continue Reading

arrow

Telesitting and Virtual Nursing: This enables a single person or AI-powered fall prevention to monitor multiple patients (for example, to prevent them from getting out of bed against physicians’ orders). It is far more efficient than having to staff one person for each room, and it allows hospitals to assign personnel to other valuable work.

eICUs: Providing care to the most at-risk patients, an electronic intensive care unit is supported by clinical care command centers and in-room solutions, which extend critical care staffing and expertise and facilitate data-driven care. This application is particularly valuable for hospitals with staffs that are stretched thin by heavy caseloads, or for rural facilities without certain specialties.

Telestroke Care: Time is of the essence when healthcare professionals are dealing with a patient who may have had a stroke. Connected care for these patients enables on-call neurologists to quickly determine if a stroke has occurred and institute appropriate protocols promptly and effectively.

Artificial Intelligence: AI solutions play an important role in connected care for use cases such as diagnostics, data analysis and data management in EHRs. Healthcare organizations must continue to explore AI solutions as the technology evolves, balancing the desire to improve productivity and efficiency with the need to protect privacy and prevent errors.

cdw

Strategies for Connected Care

Across the country, especially in rural areas, telehealth has significantly expanded options and accessibility for patients and clinicians. Videoconferencing and collaboration platforms, integrated with electronic health record (EHR) systems make it easy for patients to connect with general practitioners and specialists who may not be available in their immediate areas. Clinicians in rural settings can use telehealth to consult with specialists remotely, bringing the expertise of larger health systems to underserved areas.

Remote Patient Monitoring: RPM, which leverages videoconferencing and collaboration platforms and connected medical devices to manage at-home care, is becoming a more important component of healthcare offerings. Connected care support for chronic disease management, medical management and care coordination are among the top use cases for telehealth.

Virtual Rounding: This practice lets clinicians see patients without visiting their rooms in person. It saves doctors time and effort by enabling them to check in with patients quickly and easily while also maintaining social distancing practices that help prevent the spread of transmissible diseases.

Click Below to Continue Reading

arrow

Telesitting and Virtual Nursing: This enables a single person or AI-powered fall prevention to monitor multiple patients (for example, to prevent them from getting out of bed against physicians’ orders). It is far more efficient than having to staff one person for each room, and it allows hospitals to assign personnel to other valuable work.

eICUs: Providing care to the most at-risk patients, an electronic intensive care unit is supported by clinical care command centers and in-room solutions, which extend critical care staffing and expertise and facilitate data-driven care. This application is particularly valuable for hospitals with staffs that are stretched thin by heavy caseloads, or for rural facilities without certain specialties.

Telestroke Care: Time is of the essence when healthcare professionals are dealing with a patient who may have had a stroke. Connected care for these patients enables on-call neurologists to quickly determine if a stroke has occurred and institute appropriate protocols promptly and effectively.

Artificial Intelligence: AI solutions play an important role in connected care for use cases such as diagnostics, data analysis and data management in EHRs. Healthcare organizations must continue to explore AI solutions as the technology evolves, balancing the desire to improve productivity and efficiency with the need to protect privacy and prevent errors.

How can your organization maximize
the value of connected care?

Fred Holston

CDW Healthcare Director, Strategic Solutions
Fred has over 35 years of experience helping healthcare organizations serve the greater good by decreasing complexity. A former CTO and executive director, Fred brings expertise in all aspects of modern technology infrastructure.
Josh Peacock

Josh Peacock

Healthcare Strategist
Josh Peacock is a healthcare strategist for CDW.