Telemedicine now gives rural nursing homes access to APRNs, at no cost
A new study published in the June 2018 issue of the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine finds that having an embedded advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) improves the quality measure (QM) scores of nursing homes.
The findings are significant for rural nursing homes whose locations make it difficult to attract and retain full-time, in-house APRNs.
The study, “Impact of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses on Quality Measures: The Missouri Quality Initiative Experience,” reviewed the APRNs’ impact on quality scores at 16 participating Missouri nursing homes in the Missouri Quality Initiative (MOQI).
The initiative aims to reduce the frequency of avoidable hospital admissions and readmissions; improve resident health outcomes; improve the process of transitioning between inpatient hospitals and nursing facilities; and reduce overall healthcare spending without restricting access to care or choice of providers.
The results were not surprising. APRNs working full time in nursing homes can positively influence quality of care, and their impact can be measured on improving QMs. The findings also suggest substantial cost savings in Medicare costs.
As more emphasis is placed on quality and outcomes for nursing home services, providers need to find successful strategies to improve their QMs. Embedding APRNs is one clear strategy.
But for rural nursing homes, with tight budgets and staffing challenges because of their rustic locations, is it even an option? The answer is a definitive YES.
Telemedicine makes is possible to have an APRN in your facility.
Tapestry Telehealth’s MyCare Now program brings these practitioners directly to the bedside. And what’s unique about the program is that Tapestry Telehealth assigns a dedicated practitioner to each facility. That practitioner gets to know you, your patients and your staff, and integrate seamlessly into you daily care routines.
So even rural nursing homes can have a full-time nurse practitioner who is available on weekdays, on scheduled daily rounds, or on demand to see patients and assess medical issues or changes in medical conditions.
More importantly, rural nursing homes may be able to take advantage of these programs at no cost. Talk directly to one of our professionals to learn how you can access quality telemedicine for your rural nursing facilities.
Studies like this JAMDA report at one time just seemed to spotlight the disparities between rural nursing homes and others. But with new telehealth technology available, studies like this now highlight the new opportunities available to help facilities, especially rural nursing homes, improve quality scores.