Covid 19 Pandemic-The Use of Telehealth

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the healthcare sector, leading to increased use of telehealth to prevent the spread of the infection. Social distancing, isolation, and quarantine made health facilities switch to telehealth, where telecommunication and electronic information provide patient care (Koonin et al., 2020). Health organizations educate the public mainly through electronic communication via the Internet and media. According to Koonin et al. 2020, the use of telehealth during the Covid Pandemic increased by 50% between the year 2019 and 2020 March (Koonin et al., 2020). There was a 150 % increase in telehealth visits by March 2020 due to the pandemic (Koonin et al., 2020). The use of telehealth increased patient safety since there was social distancing. The virus could not spread to patients in their homes, making them safe.

The use of telehealth also improved the quality of care by enhancing safety and by evaluating the patient’s feedback and trends. However, the quality of care for critically ill patients in distant locations is reduced. Quality of care is high when nurses are physically available, and therefore, the outcomes of sick, critically remote patients become poor (Caetano et al., 2020). However, telehealth improved the outcomes of patients in health facilities since medical errors were reduced, and their progress could be evaluated based on digital data. Patient monitoring also improved and was accurate, leading to better outcomes.

Telehealth in COVID-19, however, leads to concerns about patient privacy and confidentiality. Many health workers could access the systems, and cybercriminals could hack the systems to steal important patient information. One-time passwords for patients, updating systems, and only allowing authorized workers to visit health facilities ensure data security, privacy, and confidentiality (Caetano et al., 2020). The population was affected because everyone had to start using the Internet and computers or smartphones. People had to incur some extra costs to start using telehealth. However, the overall price of health was reduced, and they were safe from contracting the COVID-19 virus. The technology also reduces the cost of using personal protective equipment.

Ethical practices considered by telehealth included autonomy, confidentiality, and not harming the patient. Telehealth is safe and improves the quality of care; hence, it does not harm patients. The technology also allows the patient to decide since it asks for consent from the patient (Caetano et al., 2020). However, there are issues with patient privacy since hacking may occur. Telehealth has been recommended for use by the government and the law since it encourages social distancing and prevents the spread of Covid-19. The technology is safe and abides by existing health laws. The technology also improves effectiveness and efficiency in healthcare, which improves health outcomes (Caetano et al., 2020). Enough capital is required to use telehealth. Health facilities need to buy computers and software and find system providers. IT professionals are also required.

References

Caetano, R., Silva, A. B., Guedes, A. C. C. M., Paiva, C. C. N. D., Ribeiro, G. D. R., Santos, D. L., & Silva, R. M. D. (2020). Challenges and opportunities for telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic: ideas on spaces and initiatives in the Brazilian context. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 36, e00088920. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00088920

Koonin, L. M., Hoots, B., Tsang, C. A., Leroy, Z., Farris, K., Jolly, B., … & Harris, A. M. (2020). Trends in the use of telehealth during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic—United States, January–March 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(43), 1595. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6943a3

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The purpose of this assignment is to (a) explore and present an information technology used in the healthcare system that supports the patient care experience and (b) develop the skills of team communication, collaboration, and production.

Covid 19 Pandemic-The Use of Telehealth

1. History and Current Use
   • Describe significant findings that prompted the development of the
   • Discuss the history and current use of the technology in
   • Describe three goals of this technology’s
2. Impact on Healthcare and Nursing
   • Discuss the Impact on professional nursing practice related to:
     • Patient safety
     • Quality of care measures/monitoring
     • Risk management
     • Privacy, confidentiality, and security of patient data
     • Effect on population within the region
     • Ethical practice
     • Compliance with legal and regulatory mandates
     • Organizational infrastructure and operations
   • Support discussions with examples & data from current evidence-based