Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 2, 2020

18 By Andrea Nagel During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many physician offices closed their waiting rooms or delayed appointments until more was known about how to protect patients and staff from this new virus. Since the outbreak, the need for social distancing has brought the virtual office visit, or telemedicine, to the forefront of patient care. Thanks to new guidelines by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Kootenai Health and other health care organizations across the country were able to quickly implement the technology needed to see patients electronically. Howitworks Telemedicine involves using your computer, phone or other device to have a visit with your medical provider. Benefits include: • The ability to go about your day right up until your visit begins • A reduced risk of infection because you have less contact with other people • The possibility of seeing a faraway medical specialist, which is particularly helpful for residents of rural areas Kootenai had a few location-based telemedicine services before COVID-19, but a quick pivot to adjust its method of providing patient care was needed, noted John Weinsheim, executive vice president of Kootenai Clinic. “There were no existing tools in place to provide services to patients virtually from their homes,” he said. “Providers began using anything that was available to them, from their phones to a webcam attached to a TV.” “It typically takes six months to about two years to create and implement a telemedicine program,” said Elizabeth Lincoln, M.D., Kootenai Health chief medical information officer. “What really made this come together was the providers’ willingness to learn the platform and do practice calls. They adapted it to their clinic workflow and patient experience.” Beyond theexamroom It was with this open-mindedness and problem-solving that the team was able to implement a new telemedicine application in under 10 days—and quickly expand it to include more than 200 providers in over 25 specialties. “The Kootenai Health Sleep Center rapidly deployed telehealth consultations and follow-up visits to ensure continuation of care during the early stages of the COVID-19 TO YOU BRINGING THE DOCTOR Telemedicine provides safe and effective care where and when you need it epidemic,” said Chad Hagen, M.D., a physician with Kootenai Clinic Sleep Medicine and an early adopter of telemedicine. “Such an abrupt shift in practice will always be difficult and have its challenges, but patients and clinicians both demonstrated adaptability and patience.” While telemedicine isn’t immune to glitches or slow internet speed, it does provide an opportunity to expand care beyond the exam room. Kootenai seeks to expand access to care throughout our region. “I do believe that telemedicine will continue to grow in our region, and Kootenai Health is primed to deliver these services to surrounding communities if the infrastructure is there,” Dr. Lincoln said. Connect to care Ask your physician’s office what telemedicine options are available. Need a provider? Call the Kootenai Clinic Appointment Center at (208) 625-6767 or visit appointmentcenter.kh.org .