Covenant Health has launched intensive care telehealth services that add an extra layer of medical care for patients in the ICU. The health system is the first in the area to offer “tele-ICU” and will implement this technology in its nine acute care facilities by the end of 2021.
Covenant demonstrated the technology for members of the media last week at Fort Sanders Regional. Get details here.
Tele-ICU does not replace the hospitals’ bedside team. But patients will benefit from the support provided by 24-hour professionals making medical expertise available to local providers.
Critical care patient room with nurse at bedside and intensivist Jesse Doers, MD, on Tele-ICU
How it works: The intensive care room is equipped with a camera, microphone and monitor for two-way communication between the hospital bedside team and the remote tele-ICU staff. Tele-ICU services comply with patient privacy and security regulations.
Video and audio communications are never recorded, officials said. When the camera is off, it faces the wall and does not capture video or audio. The bedside medical team and family members can contact tele-ICU staff at any time, day or night.
In February 2021, Covenant Health announced a partnership with Hicuity Health, the nation’s largest provider of high acuity telemedicine, to provide tele-ICU services. Hicuity’s proprietary HUB workflow management technology platform enables seamless care delivery and serves more than 100 hospital partners in 27 states.
