Technology enables safe connections and healthier lives
From Krisan Palmer, Horizon Virtual Care Manager and Clinical Lead
S O C I A L S H O U T - O U T
Horizon has always held to the philosophy that technology is an enabler. We have embraced it as such to increase access to scarce clinical resources in a timely manner by way of a variety of technical modalities. In this manner we have been able to eliminate geography between patients and clients and their clinicians. Until recently, this has always been referred to as Telehealth; this terminology, or type of care, is currently being rebranded to Virtual Care on a global scale. In the early days of using technology to improve the patient care continuum, patients were required to go to a local hospital to see their clinicians in a hospital or clinic site elsewhere. Now, with the latest changes to technology’s capability and capacity, that
geography or travel too can be eliminated. Patients are now sitting in the comfort of their own homes and using their own devices to have a live interactive audio/video consultation with their provider or when participating in a group learning session. Patients can also provide images and/or video clips securely to their clinicians to complement their care plan by using Horizon’s Virtual Care App, which is free to them in both the Google Play and Apple stores (when invited). We have been using Telehealth/Virtual Care since 1998 and helping thousands of patients and clinicians enhance their care. Since March of this year, we have ‘onboarded’ over 1,500 new clinicians to do so using Horizon’s latest Virtual Care Platform.
There are many ways Horizon physicians and staff have adapted their approach to connect with patients, clients and their families. The New Brunswick Heart Centre, as an example, has transitioned cardiac surgery follow-ups to a virtual platform, as well as the vast majority of clinic visits for electrophysiology procedures. The centre has also successfully transitioned cardiac rehab programs to online sessions with follow-ups by phone and some in-person consultations during the yellow phase of the pandemic. The heart function clinic is now mostly providing follow-ups by phone. According to its administrative director, Janine Doucet, their team has truly embraced virtual care. There are many other success stories. Orthoptists, for example, may still have a patient come to their office for an initial eye exam, however follow-up appointments can at times be conducted virtually to improve eye alignment and monitor fixation/vision. This is now the approach taken by Mary Johnson, an orthoptist who works at Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Saint John. Since the start of the pandemic, she has kept in touch with other orthoptists across Canada to share best practices and tips. “I also found that keeping in touch with my patients was very convenient with regular phone and video calls and this extra support really helped them,” she said. Mary has even mailed children with eye conditions therapy eye patches accompanied with a handwritten ‘good work on your patching’ letter, all in an envelope she decorated with playful stickers. Such efforts are to be commended. To learn about other success stories involving virtual care, I recommend viewing the ‘Virtual Care is new to most of us’ video. In this video, Horizon staff and patients comment about the benefits and challenges of virtual health care including the following testimonial from a young family: “It was nice to know that the appointment was to continue… it was simple, no travel. We are a busy household. The kids are six-year-old twins [and there is] lots to do to pack people up and get them to doctors’ appointments.” Horizon has been nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in the Virtual Care Community for many years. Dialogue is key. Patients and clients are always welcome to share their feedback on virtual care with their health care providers. For providers, I would encourage you to email me at VirtualCare@HorizonNB.ca so we can further discuss how to leverage technology to improve patient and client experiences.
On Horizon’s social media platforms, we’ve heard frommany of your patients, clients and families about the professional, safe and quality care you provide. In this recurring feature, we’ll highlight some of these “social shout-outs.” If you see a social shout-out, tell us about it by emailing HorizonStar@HorizonNB.ca.
Harry Forestell @HarryForestell
Brittany Skelding @BrittSkelding
Perk of working at a hospital: Flu shots at your desk! Thank you @HorizonHealthNB for making this easy when it is most important!! 2:26 PM · Oct 28, 2020 4 Likes
Picked up my lovely wife after a day surgery procedure at @HorizonHealthNB Chalmers Hospital. Impressed by calm, well organized, upbeat care by staff – esp nurses. Thank you DECH! 11:38 AM · Sep 26, 2020 2 Retweets 2 Quote Tweets 143 Likes CRST (Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists) @CRST_tweets Thank you, @HorizonHealthNB, for celebrating the work RTs so. Donnie preceptors at least one CSRT staff member and countless other RTs as well. He’s a gem! 3:12 PM · Oct 28, 2020 1 Retweet 11 Likes
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Here, Mary Johnson, an orthoptist at Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Saint John, prepares packages destined for her pediatric patients.
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