Starting to provide telemedicine services in your orthopedic facility can be a great way to expand your reach and provide convenient care to your patients. Starting telemedicine orthopedic services has lot of benefits like improved access to care, increased patient satisfaction, cost savings and better practice management.
Preparing Your Practice for Telemedicine Orthopedic Services
Following are some of the steps in preparing your practice for telemedicine orthopedic services.
1. Choose a Telemedicine Platform
There are many telemedicine platforms available, and you will need to choose one that is suitable for your facility. Look for a platform that is secure, easy to use, and integrates with your electronic medical record (EMR) system. It is important to note that the selection of a telemedicine platform for orthopedic services should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider or an IT specialist to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and the specific needs of the practice.
2. Set up Your Equipment
You will need a camera, microphone, and speakers for your computer or mobile device. You may also want to invest in specialized equipment, such as a digital stethoscope or otoscope, to enhance your ability to diagnose and treat patients remotely. Choose a videoconferencing software that is HIPAA compliant and secure for transmitting patient data. Popular options include Zoom, Skype, or WebEx. Ensure that the software is compatible with the devices you plan to use for telemedicine consultations. Setting up equipment for telemedicine in an orthopedic practice requires careful consideration of the needs of both patients and practitioners. By investing in high-quality equipment and providing training, orthopedic practices can improve patient access to care and provide more convenient options for consultations.
3. Develop Telemedicine Protocols
You will need to develop protocols for conducting telemedicine visits, including patient consent, privacy and security measures, and documentation requirements. Determine which patients are appropriate for telemedicine appointments. Patients who require physical examinations or diagnostic imaging are not suitable for telemedicine appointments. Schedule telemedicine appointments in the same way as in-person appointments, and inform patients of the telemedicine process and expectations before the appointment. This includes instructions on how to log in and any required equipment or software. Obtain the patient’s medical history and any relevant imaging or laboratory results before the telemedicine appointment. This allows the physician to prepare for the appointment and provide more personalized care.
4. Train Your Staff
Train your staff on how to use the telemedicine platform, equipment, and protocols. This will ensure that everyone is comfortable and confident in providing telemedicine services. Start by explaining what telemedicine is and how it works. This can include information on the different types of telemedicine, such as video visits, telephone visits, and online consultations. Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each member of your staff who will be involved in telemedicine, including physicians, nurses, and administrative staff. Make sure everyone understands their role and how they can contribute to the success of telemedicine in your practice. Provide training on best practices for telemedicine, such as how to conduct a virtual exam, how to communicate effectively with patients using technology, and how to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality.
5. Spread the Word
Let your patients know that you are offering telemedicine services and how they can access them. Update your website to include a section about your telemedicine orthopedic services. Make sure to provide details about the services you offer, how patients can schedule appointments, and what they need to do to prepare for a telemedicine visit. Send an email to your existing patients letting them know that you are now offering telemedicine orthopedic services. Make sure to provide instructions on how they can schedule an appointment and what they need to do to prepare for a telemedicine visit. You can use social media and online orthopedic directories like Healthgrades, Zocdoc, or WebMD.
Schedule telemedicine appointments just like you would in-person appointments. Make sure you have adequate time for each appointment and that you have all the necessary information from the patient before the appointment. Conduct the telemedicine appointment just like an in-person appointment. Review the patient’s medical history, discuss their symptoms, and develop a treatment plan. Follow up with the patient after the appointment to make sure their treatment plan is working and to address any concerns they may have.
By following above steps, you can prepare your practice for telemedicine orthopedic services and can offer more convenient care to your patients. Medisys Data Solutions is a leading medical billing company providing complete billing and coding services for various medical billing specialties including telemedicine orthopedic services. Our billing and coding experts are well aware of telemedicine guidelines to receive accurate reimbursement for delivered services. To know more about our telemedicine orthopedic billing services, contact us at info@medisysdata.com / 888-720-8884
