The Impact of Telehealth on the Bottom Line
The Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network recently released evaluation information showing usage figures for the system during 2006. As readers will see, use of telehealth continues to grow across the State as it becomes increasingly embedded in the everyday lives and business processes of hospitals and public health departments in Nebraska.
During 2006, a large number of patients, staff and administration used telehealth for conferencing of patient consults, administrative and educational meetings, as well as many other uses. A total of 8,388 participants used videoconferencing from a hospital or public health department site in order to save time and money in travel. Here are some statistics:
| How was it used? |
| Educational Programs: |
825 |
| Administrative Meeting: |
553 |
| Conferencing: |
351 |
| Patient Consults: |
687 |
| Other: |
132 |
| |
|
| Hours of Use: |
66,486 hours |
| Travel Time Cost Savings: |
$1,662,161.00 (computed on a $25.00 per hour wage) |
| Total Miles Saved: |
3,697,371 miles |
| Mileage Cost Savings: |
$1,645,330.00 (computed at 44.5 cents per mile) |
| Average Distance to Host Facility: |
176 miles |
| |
|
| Patient Feedback? |
|
| Patients who said they are likely to use telehealth in the future: |
98% |
| Patients who would have had to travel to meet with a specialist: |
99% |
| Patients who said telehealth met their needs: |
97% |
| |
|
How is information gathered, how is it used and why is it important?
The NSTN gathers information and feedback regarding use through evaluations distributed to all individuals who participate in telehealth activities. This information is communicated to our funding sources and lawmakers to show the impact and benefits of telehealth. In Nebraska, we are fortunate to have the support of both the Universal Service Administrative Company and the Nebraska Public Service Commission, the combination of which allows most hospitals to have telehealth access for as little as $100 per month out-of-pocket. We also have the legislative support of our State and Federal lawmakers, with Lt. Governor Sheehy and representatives from many public offices sitting on the NSTN Advisory Committee. Providing this information helps these individuals make decisions that may impact our future.
|
