“This is a truly overwhelming process for folks just starting out to know where to begin,” she said. “It’s worth it to get the right product, because it’s a long-term relationship.”
If you’re a health care professional who’s ready to introduce telehealth to your facility, consider this checklist for choosing the right technology:
1. Establish your goals
According to the Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center, establishing goals for telemedicine will not only help you develop your staff, estimate costs and evaluate overall organization performance – it will also assist you in selecting your equipment. Choosing technology that best meets the goals and vision of your organization can keep you on track to success.
2. Do your research
Before making your decision on a telemedicine program, make sure you’re doing your research. There are dozens of innovative technologies to choose from these days, and there are plenty of resources that can help you evaluate the product based on current and past partnership between vendors and facilities. Use the internet, clinical partners and other companies to learn more about specific technologies before making any decisions.
3. Attend demonstrations
Most vendors will allow your team to attend a demonstration of the telemedicine technology you’re considering, so be sure to take advantage of it. This gives your team a chance to evaluate the interface and consider how it meshes with your workflow. Getting a first-hand look at the system can make or break the final decision. If you’re able to set up a demo with a potential vendor, make sure your entire implementation team is in attendance.
4. Find the product in action
Reach out to prospective vendors for references to see or hear about the product in action. This allows you to learn about how the technology has worked in the health care setting, and what you can expect from its overall performance. If at all possible, Brown also suggested reaching out to additional references for an unbiased opinion about the system.
“We encourage [clients] to find their own references and visit the product in action to make sure [they] get an unbiased viewpoint,” she told Becker’s Hospital Review. “It is time consuming, but well worth it for the selection committee to visit another clinic using the product under consideration before making a final decision.”
With help from AMD Global Telemedicine, you can find quality products and cutting-edge technology to put your organization at the forefront of the healthcare industry. Let us help you bring your vision to life and lead your facility to success.
