In Hawaii, Interactive Care, LLC in concert with Maui AgeWave delivers web-based collaboration tools to healthcare facilities and providers so that quality care can be provided to everyone, regardless of their location

Connect. Collaborate. Care

Interactive Care connects physicians and patients across distances.  Healthcare services can often be provided remotely.  Interactive Care enables the sharing of images and information in real time so that physicians can collaborate with others quickly and efficiently.

Interactive Care, LLC’s unique, web-based software approach uses the power of the internet, typical PCs, and simple webcams to deliver high-quality video and voice collaboration.  The services ranges from basic audio and video communication to complex collaboration efforts, combining images, animations, and data shared from other medical applications or devices.  Interactive Care enables healthcare providers to remotely connect, collaborate and provide a level of care previously not attainable.

 www.interactivecare.com

Maui DOH/Maui AgeWave Update

In 2009 the Department of Health (DOH) Maui Office, launched a pilot project designed to enhance services provided to home bound/medically frail elderly.   The project utilizes the HIPAA Compliant, web-based Interactive

Forty-eight visits were conducted under the study which concluded in May 2010.  Anecdotal observations were that patients were generally receptive to the use of telecare and the project generally showed the holistic value of the system during patient observations via the two-way audio/visual internet-based system.   

We have found broadband connectivity throughout the islands to be generally adequate, which allowed for high quality visits in most cases.  However, some  remote areas did not have significant bandwidth to be dependable on all occasions for these visits.     Public health nurses are able to do things like track the healing of a wound, obtain blood pressure readings, assist patients fill his/her pillbox, assess mobility/balance, real-time observations of diabetic patients including glucose testing,  insulin pen settings and insulin injection techniques by the patient. 

During this  pilot, the virtual visits were done in addition to the regular visits of the DOH Public Health Nurses.   Both the nurses and the patients have made positive comments about their participation in the project.

Patients receptive to telehealth services

Three fourths of American consumers would use telehealth services to track their conditions and vital signs, and half are willing to seek healthcare through the Internet or other computer technology in place of a face-to-face visit during non emergencies, according to a study by the Health Research Institute of  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.  The survey also found that more than one third of responders would consider alternate appointment methods such as a worksite clinic or retail clinic, and more than one fourth of consumers would participate in shared medical appointments, if it meant keeping their medical care costs from going up.