In today’s healthcare landscape, the demand for efficient, scalable, and expert clinical service line partners has never been greater. Infectious disease (ID) telemedicine provides hospitals and health systems with an innovative way to enhance patient care, reduce costs, and address staffing challenges. However, selecting the right ID telemedicine partner is crucial to fully realizing these benefits.
Below are three essential factors hospital leaders should evaluate when choosing an ID telemedicine provider.
1. Clinical Expertise and Quality Patient Care
The clinical team’s expertise is foundational when choosing a telemedicine provider, as infectious diseases can range from common to highly complex. Consider the following:
Academic-Level Physicians:
Telemedicine can bridge the gap for rural hospitals, providing access to academic-level physicians with the latest expertise in infectious diseases.
Diverse Case Experience and Subspecialty Expertise:
Look for providers with experience in a broad range of infectious diseases, including complex conditions like multidrug-resistant infections, bone and joint infections, and care for immunocompromised patients. A telemedicine provider with a “deep bench” of specialists ensures your patients receive top-tier care across the spectrum of ID cases.
2. Proven Results and Return on Investment
With tightening healthcare budgets, it’s essential to choose a partner that delivers a measurable return on investment. Here are a few outcomes to consider:
Reduced Length of Stay:
Shorter patient stays lead to significant cost savings. For example, a partnership with the University of New Mexico Sandoval led Infectious Disease Connect to help reduce ID patient length of stay, achieving over $850,000 in annual savings.
Lowered Pharmacy Costs Through Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP):
A tailored ASP can reduce pharmacy expenses by guiding effective antibiotic use. In one case, ID Connect saved a rural health system more than $1 million annually through customized ASP interventions.
Improved IV to PO Conversion Rates:
Optimizing care through effective IV to oral (PO) antibiotic conversion not only benefits patient recovery but also reduces treatment costs.
3. Adaptability and Long-Term Partnership Potential
The best ID telemedicine partners offer more than transactional services—they provide a collaborative, long-term approach that aligns with hospital goals for patient care and innovation. Key aspects include:
Customizable Service Offerings:
No two hospitals are the same. A flexible telemedicine provider will tailor services to meet the unique needs of your institution, based on factors like patient population, geography, and available resources.
Adaptability to Evolving Needs:
Healthcare is dynamic, and your telemedicine provider should be able to evolve with it. Look for a partner committed to continuous improvement, research, and education, including ongoing medical education programs, to stay on top of the latest ID trends and treatments.
Choosing an ID telemedicine provider is a strategic decision that influences patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability. As telemedicine reshapes healthcare delivery, selecting the right partner will be vital for hospitals seeking to manage complex infectious disease cases effectively in an ever-evolving landscape.
Interested in learning more?
Contact us to connect with our team and discover how we can support your hospital’s infectious disease needs.
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