May 25, 2012
Orana Lutheran Complex in Kingaroy could one day become a hub for “TeleHealth”, offering remote consultations with specialists via video consultations.
General Manager Richard Fahy said Orana recently participated in a training session where a resident consulted with a specialist in Toowoomba using the new technology.
“Our training module linked up with a specialist who provided assistance for one of our residents who has dementia,” Mr Fahy said.
“It was a very simple process where the resident was with her family and they found it a really positive experience.”
Medicare gave approval for TeleHealth to be used in the residential aged care setting and provided an incentive payment of $6000 to set up and run the first consultation.
Mr Fahy said the infrastructure was now in place and it would become a fully-fledged service in the near future.
Orana Director of Nursing Anne Gunn said she was impressed by the consultation.
“The resident could see the doctor on the screen and found the session quite easy to follow. Even though she has dementia it didn’t create confusion,” she said.
“In aged care it is certainly of benefit if GPs come on board and are open to this type of consultation.”
Anne said she hoped Orana would become a hub for TeleHealth.
“People in the community, allied health professionals and referred patients could come here to use the TeleHealth facility. Increased medical and health services in this area can only be a good thing.”
The video consultation system provides a practical alternative to face-to-face appointments.
A specialist can sit in front of a computer in one location and the resident can watch a computer screen in a different location.
“One of the main benefits for residents was being able to access specialists Australia-wide without getting tired and distressed and that was the main appeal for us,” Mr Fahy said.
“It’s not bound by geography so we can set up meetings with specialists in Sydney if we like.
“TeleHealth equates to less traveling time, less stress and anxiety on families, less pressure on us to organise specialist appointments and better access to general practitioners to provide better care pathways.”
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Strategic Programs Manager (e-Health) Vicki Sheedy said she was pleased Orana was at the forefront of the aged care sector in terms of TeleHealth.
“It is so good to see a rural aged care service at the forefront of adapting to and adopting new technology to improve the care of the residents,” she said.
“Orana ensured security and privacy were provided and they liaised with the resident and family to make sure they were happy and established an appropriate site for the consultation to occur.
“Orana respected the existing relationship with the GP and the referral pattern to the Toowoomba-based specialist.
“They were very careful in selecting the right resident where this sort of technology is appropriate to use.”
