W. Virginia VA demonstrates eHealth effectiveness

Donna Cusano

The Charleston, West Virginia Gazette profiles a five-year old telemedicine/telehealth program centered in the Clarksburg, West Virginia VA Hospital.  95% of their patients live in rural areas, and many are WWII veterans who are now older and sicker than the general VA population.  This program combines telemedicine video consults with telehealth remote monitoring, and manages those veterans who have been treated in an ER or admitted to the hospital from complications with congestive heart failure, pulmonary disease, diabetes or hypertension.  The services include dermatology (profiled here), mental health, pathology, retinal exams and care coordination.  Results so far: participants reduced their length of stay in the hospital from about 108 to 42 days, and the number of ER visits decreased from 190 to 150.  Charleston Gazette.  Editor Donna’s tip to FierceMobileHealthcare.