Patients at higher risk for complications are given pulse oximeters so their doctor can monitor for signs of severe respiratory infection before other symptoms might indicate a need for additional care, including hospitalization.

In the case of the Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States region, doctors also use telehealth to do rounds virtually for patients who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Telehealth can also include services such as remote patient monitoring, which allows patients to take blood pressure measurements and blood sugar readings at home so that their care teams can monitor ongoing health conditions. Melmed says that chat volume leveled off after the initial spike as the region’s video and phone appointments ramped up. Melmed says. “Pediatrics, Ob-Gyn, Behavioral Health, and Dermatology all contributed, and even specialists like anesthesiologists and oncologists who suddenly had capacity helped answer COVID-related concerns.”ĭr. “We were able to mobilize resources from across the organization and bring them in to help answer our member’s concerns,” Dr. Ari Melmed, MD, FACEP, regional medical director of Telehealth Services at CPMG, says the organization was able to meet the sudden demand for its chat service because of Kaiser Permanente’s large, integrated system that allowed physicians and clinicians in other departments to be redeployed to support the chat service. Ari Melmed, MDĬolorado Permanente Medical Group’s “Chat with a Doctor” feature saw a 92% spike in its weekly average users in just the first 2 weeks of March. Some regions such as Kaiser Permanente Colorado also offer chat options. Telehealth also includes other online services that help patients shelter in place, including emailing their doctors with questions, utilizing the e-visit options on kp.org for common conditions such as a cold or sore throat, and refilling prescriptions online and receiving them by mail instead of visiting the pharmacy. Lee says video usage is increasing as more patients become comfortable with the platform. The majority of telehealth visits are phone appointments, but Dr. “Before, telehealth was a choice and convenience, but now it’s one of the ways patients remain healthy with social distancing.” This allows them to stay home and stay safe,” Dr. “Our patients are glad we offer telehealth options because they don’t want to come to the medical centers. It also allowed care teams at the facilities to focus on caring for coronavirus patients and preserving resources for a potential surge. The increased use of telehealth was implemented to reduce the need for patients to come into medical facilities, where they could potentially be exposed to the coronavirus. Like other health systems, Kaiser Permanente saw the use of telehealth versus in-person visits flip compared to prepandemic days the organization averaged 85% in-person office visits and 15% telehealth appointments prior to the COVID-19 outbreak versus an average of 20% office visits and 80% telehealth appointments today. We’ve had the infrastructure available to provide this service and significantly built on that since the COVID crisis hit.” “But we’re using telehealth now more than ever. “Our physicians, staff, and patients were aware of these care options,” Dr. Kaiser Permanente’s advantage compared to other health systems is that virtual visits - such as phone and video appointments - have been available to patients for several years. “While no one knows when a global pandemic will occur, we were as prepared as possible to continue to care for patients while responding to those stricken with COVID-19,” says Edward Lee, MD, executive vice president and chief information officer of The Permanente Federation. In an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, health care organizations across the country had to quickly pivot to telehealth so they could provide care to patients remotely.īut at Kaiser Permanente and the Permanente Medical Groups - the physician groups that provide care to more than 12.4 million members - it wasn’t so much of a pivot as a widening of existing services.

More Kaiser Permanente members get comfortable with virtual visits during COVID-19 pandemic

Kaiser permanente video visits