Page 4 - SFHN0119pagesFINAL.qxp_Page layout

Telemedicine and APRNs at Plaza Health Network

at the Forefront of Advanced Skilled Nursing Care Services

When it comes to filling the need for higher acu- above some other nursing facilities and allows us to
ity care, skilled nursing centers are being asked to form strategic partnerships with acute health care
step in. The ever-increasing cost of health care has facilities.”
resulted in health care professionals and patients Plaza Health Network is also using telemedicine to
turning to skilled nursing facilities to provide the bring critical health care services to patients while
specialized, sub-acute care needed after discharge reducing emergency transports and hospital re-admis-
from a hospital, prior to returning home. sion. The HIPAA-compliant technology provides real
Many facilities are not properly equipped to treat time, remote monitoring by physicians of all vital
patients in this critical state. However, Plaza Health signs for patients at all six facilities within Plaza
Network, South Florida’s largest skilled nursing Health Network.
network, has made a commitment to provide the Cardiologists, neurologists, and pulmonary medi-
state-of-the-art technology and advanced nursing cine specialists serving Plaza Health centers can access
staff required to ensure the highest quality care for a video conferencing feature, enabling them to com-
transitioning, frail patients. municate with any of the centers’ nursing profession-
“As our centers are called upon to care for high- als to provide immediate care resulting in a clear
er-acuity patients and drive better clinical out- decline of hospital re-admission rates.
comes to avoid re-hospitalization, Plaza Health “Quick action makes a huge difference in cases of
Network is implementing systems that go above and beyond what other skilled nurs- patients who are compromised. By implementing telemedicine and telemetry services,
ing centers provide,” said Elaine Bloom, president and CEO of Plaza Health Network. our patients receive life-saving measures when they need it most,” stated Bloom.
These 24/7/365 systems include a sophisticated telemedicine/telemetry program “Above all, patients are protected from physiological and psychological stress associ-
and advanced care provided by APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses) who ated with hospital readmissions and transfers by allowing us to perform the assess-
are the most highly trained of all nursing professionals. ment and delivery of more services inside our facilities.
APRNs perform many functions previously reserved for doctors, such as diagnosing In fact, recent studies have shown that off-hours telemedicine services often help
conditions, ordering and interpreting lab tests, and prescribing medications. avert many hospital admissions or readmissions, reduce Medicare costs, and improve
Additionally, the skillset of the Plaza Health Network APRNs allows them to oversee clinical outcomes for patients.
specialized services such as in-house and bedside dialysis, as well as programs for Plaza Health views telemetry and telemedicine as necessary components in today’s
patients with cognitive disorders, respiratory issues, and other serious co-morbidities. care model to reduce unnecessary and costly hospital transports. It’s why the Plaza
“One of the ways we are elevating the quality of nursing care is by having our Health Network Foundation has selected this venture to raise funds for the develop-
APRNs coordinate patient care and services with our nursing directors and staff. The ment of innovative, patient-focused programs that go above and beyond the basics
support they provide helps to successfully care for patients who need sub-specialized covered by insurers. By investing in technology to improve the quality of life of
care, including those who have just undergone transplants,” said Claudia Innocent, patients, the Plaza Health Network Foundation helps ensure that all Plaza Health
RN, MSN and Plaza Health Network’s chief clinical officer. “It’s what gives us the edge Network centers stay at the forefront of care.

www.southfloridahospitalnews.com
Visit us on the web at www.southfloridahospitalnews.com

• Reduce oper ational costss

a
• Stay ahead of competit orrs
h
id i
• A idovv A oid unpaid inv i oice hassles
l
• Eliminat e patient acquisittion costs
• Reach a ne w gener ation of patients

HEALTHC A • Im opr v e cust omer e xperieence & lo y alty
T T
ARE

IS CHAANGINGANGING
IS CHA

ARE YOU?OY

Healthca e Simplifir ed

Visit Medi X alll.com or call 9544.908.3481 t odayy and k eep y our p actice prr ofit able omorrt o . w

4 January 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News