‘This is the wave of the future’
New Canaan selectmen pledge $400K for telemedicine
NEW CANAAN — The Board of Selectmen this week approved $400,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds for telemedicine for the Waveny LifeCare Network.
The board also approved $250,000 for Silver Hill Hospital to offer free mental health assessments. For either of these expenditures to move forward, they must be approved by the Board of Finance and Town Council.
“I know that people are tired of hearing that we're living in unprecedented times, but we really are” and “the health care environment has forever changed,” President and CEO of Waveny LifeCare Network Russell Barksdale said.
The pandemic has “catapulted telehealth into the limelight” since it can be a “cost-effective solution to enhance wellness,” the CEO said. It can improve access to patient health monitoring during a time when there is “reduction of caregivers for an aging constituency.”
Telemedicine offers more advantages than telehealth, since telemedicine employs medical monitoring devices, similar to that found in a doctor's office, to detect changes in a patient's vital signs, Barksdale said. Telehealth often only offers a virtual call with a health care provider.
Members of the network's program will receive a “Telemedicine Kit,” which will include a tablet or other Bluetooth-connected device to transmit the data.
The kit, depending on the patient's health concerns, may include a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter to read oxygyn levels,; a camera for wound monitoring, a stethoscope and a scale. Waveny can provide additional equipment depending on the client's needs.
Network nurses will monitor the data including medical records and medications, Barksdale said. When a client's readings are outside the normal range, a nurse will contact the physician designated by that client.
As an example, patients with congestive heart failure who may need their weight monitored will simply stand on the scale and their weight will be reported to their caretakers, he said.
Telemedicine can effectively monitor and diagnose long-term COVID symptoms, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke risk and respiratory and circulatory issues, Barksdale said.
Telemedicine can reduce health care service costs, help avoid non-urgent emergency room visits and eliminate unnecessary transportation expenses, he added.
Since health services are one of the main focuses for
ARPA funds “I think this is an easy one for us,” First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said. Telemedicine is “the wave of the future” as the town has to “find efficiencies in delivering health care to people at home.”
Though dozens of studies itemize the benefits of telemedicine, only around 70 percent of insurance companies offer their clients the option to choose a virtual care visit over a medical office or health care setting, Barksdale said.
Earlier this year, Town Council Chairman Leo Karl requested $400,000 for telemedicine from the $6 million the town received from ARPA.
Barksdale, in trying to project the number of potential clients that will use the program, said a “conservative demand analysis” estimates 81 patients with long COVID may opt for the service, and an estimated 269 patients over the age of 65 with two chronic ailments may opt for the services; and 100 people ages 55 to 64 with three or more chronic ailments.
Telemedicine has been proven to assist in the care management of special needs children and residents recently discharged from the hospital, “thereby preventing unnecessary hospital re-admissions,” Barksdale said. Every resident may opt into the service, he added.
“Investment in telemedicine today will give New Canaan a tremendous advantage in managing any future public health crisis,” he said. Also, having a more efficient health care system will help treat more people. During the pandemic, “sacrifices” were made by caregivers to help their patients, according to Barksdale. “Sadly, many direct caregivers have left the profession altogether due to stress and burnout.”
Waveny is committed to matching the town's contribution and the combined funds will “operationalize the expansion of the program,” Barkdale said. He expects the telemedicine program to become “virtually” financially self-sufficient in year two.
The town's contribution from ARPA funds “truly is a seed capital investment that will continue to reap community health benefits for years to come,” he said.
“I can't think of a better use of funding in health,” Selectman Nick Williams said, though he has recommended keeping som eof the ARPA funds for the general fund.
Williams and Moynihan voted in favor, while Selectman Kathleen Corbet recused herself, since she is on the board of directors for Waveny LifeCare Network.