Practice Essentials in Telehealth Nursing

Telehealth technologies are increasingly being used in the provision of direct nursing care and care management. This eHealth evolution is expanding nursing practice in many ways, especially with technological competencies. Nursing education plays a critical role and must include content, practice, competency, and telehealth standards to properly prepare nurses in Telecare.

According to the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses, Telehealth Nursing is the delivery, management, and care coordination of services provided via telecommunications technology within the domain of nursing. Telehealth is defined as a method of enhancing healthcare delivery using telecommunications technology. Telemedicine is the provision of healthcare services. Telehealth technologies include live video conferencing, store and forward, remote patient monitoring, and mobile health (mHealth) devices.

Telehealth nurses need to utilize the nursing process using technology by communicating with other healthcare providers, teaching clients/families, and making appropriate decisions when the clients need to be examined by a healthcare provider. These telehealth skills are critical as they demonstrate competencies in technology to collect, manage, and analyze data as well as improve patient outcomes during clinical experiences. Here’s what you need to know.

Standards of Care:

?       Nurses must be licensed to practice in the state in which they provide Telehealth services.

?       Scope of practice and accountability must be defined by the practicing state.

?       Nurses must be vigilant about keeping extensive documentation on and off site.

?       Information systems must ensure high level of data security and HIPAA requirements.

?       Patients and families have the opportunity to revise consent(s) after they fully understand the intrusiveness of telehealth services such as home monitoring.

?       All involved parties (including the technical staff) must have appropriate training in privacy and confidentiality issue.

Competency Standards in Telemedicine:

?      Nurses must assess patient capacity to use telehealth and be supportive with patients in the use of technology.

?       Nurses must provide training to patients in the use of technology as a way to strengthen their social network.

?       Nurses must encourage patients to undertake health promotion activities virtually or telephonically.

?       Nurses must triage incoming calls/alarms adjusting the patient care plan.

?       Nurses must analyze and interpret incoming data derived from (automatic) devices for self-measurement.

?       Nurses must monitor body functions, lifestyle, and instruct patients/care givers in self-care.

?       Nurses must provide psychosocial support and guidance virtually or telephonically.

?      Nurses must provide coordination of care with the use of telehealth technology

These competencies are fairly broad and are aimed primarily at nurses working in traditional healthcare settings. While technology is an increasing element of healthcare, it should not replace the unique nurse-patient relationship that is practiced in hospitals and healthcare settings.  

References:

American Nurses Association

American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing