Saber Healthcare Group Launches Telemedicine Technology at Skilled Nursing Facilities
Partners with TeleCare Partners Group to make remote physician care accessible 24-7
CLEVELAND, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Saber Healthcare Group, in partnership with TeleCare Partners Group, has implemented its first telemedicine program, which it plans to rollout throughout its 88 skilled nursing facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia in the next several months.
Nearly two dozen centers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana are the first Saber facilities to launch the technology, which makes physician care available 24-7 from the comfort of a patient's bed.
The "telehealth" technology makes physician care available at any time, day or night, without having to transport a patient to a physician's office or hospital. Aided by an on-site nurse and a tech cart equipped with medical equipment such as a digital stethoscope, a physician can see and talk to patients via video and assess their condition.
"It's as if the physician is in the room," said Lou Daniels, Chief Executive Officer of TeleCare Partners Group. "Now simple diagnoses can be made at 2 a.m., when a physician is not physically available, and spare an elderly patient a trip to the emergency room."
This is key not only to keep patients comfortable and healthy, but to reduce unnecessary and costly readmissions to the hospital.
"This technology increases our ability to care for patients at the facility rather than returning them to a hospital where they are at risk for infections, functional decline and higher out-of-pocket costs,'' said Dr. Nancy Istenes, Saber's Chief Medical Officer.
Though this technology is not new, Daniels calls Saber "visionary" in its decision to implement it throughout its 88-plus skilled nursing facilities. Dr. Istenes says it just makes good sense.
"Saber's launch of a Telemedicine technology ensures that every patient we care for has access to cutting-edge quality of care,'' she said.
Mike Demagall, Vice President of Population Health at Saber, adds: "We believe TPG adds value to our patients, families, physicians, staff and all our partners. As part of our transitional care model – Progressive Approach to Home or PATH – we are striving to follow the IHI Triple Aim goals, and now the newer introduced Quadruple Aim. Along with enhancing care, this helps in balancing work and life for families, staff and physicians."
Saber facilities will use telemedicine on nights, weekends and holidays when physicians are typically not in the facility. The technology will also be available when a patient's physician cannot be reached or the patient's physician requests a second opinion. Protocols are in place to assess the severity of a patient's symptoms and determine if emergency treatment is necessary.
About Saber Healthcare Group: Established in 2001, the Bedford Heights-based company has grown from two skilled nursing facilities to more than 105 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in six states (Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida). Its "On the Cutting Edge of Healthcare" philosophy has spurred its growth and the company to implement greater healthcare knowledge and technologies to serve residents and patients in better ways.
About TeleCare Partners Group: Based in Simsbury, Conn., TPG was founded by a team of experts in the field of telemedicine. TPG's on-demand virtual healthcare delivery system empowers Skilled Nursing Facilities nationally with advanced telemedicine technology; 24/7 access to Board Certified doctors and support services that contain costs, increase workforce productivity; and improve the quality and effectiveness of medical interactions. For more information, visit: http://www.telecarepg.com/
SOURCE Saber Healthcare Group
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