MD Home Health, a 39-year-old home health care organization, has launched omnichannel home care services in what it says is a first for Phoenix and Arizona. The new offerings include remote patient monitoring, telehealth, a physical clinic at HonorHealth Scottsdale and traditional in-home services.
President and CEO David P. Tusa, who joined MD Home Health in 2022, spoke with us about the motivation behind embracing the omnichannel approach, what the telehealth component looks like, what the remote patient monitoring component looks like, and how outcomes should improve with the addition of these healthcare technologies.
Q. What motivated you to embrace the omnichannel approach in home care?
A. Several key factors are reshaping healthcare today, placing new demands on existing infrastructure and healthcare delivery systems. As the population ages and life expectancy increases, delivering high-quality care that achieves optimal health outcomes, improves patient experiences, and reduces costs is essential to the future of healthcare in the US.
At the same time, technology is advancing rapidly, and trends such as the growing shift to home health care and the consumerization of healthcare – where patients expect greater convenience in accessing quality care – are driving change in the industry. Experts predict that by 2035, up to 50% of healthcare will be provided at home, including hospital-at-home models where patients receive hospital-quality care at home.
By that same year, 26% of the U.S. population will be over age 65, and 95% of seniors will have at least one chronic condition, while 80% will have two or more. This population will require cost-effective care that helps them maintain their health and independence at home, and they will demand a variety of care options that fit their lifestyle.
These trends have led us to move from a traditional home care agency to an omnichannel approach. Our transformation is rooted in being ready and meeting the needs of the local market.
Our model now includes not only traditional home care, but also inpatient care, virtual care, remote patient monitoring and, later this fall, home visits and hospice services.
This transformation positions us to meet the evolving needs of our community here in the Phoenix metro area, allowing us to provide high-quality, accessible care through multiple channels. Our shift is about preparedness: being proactive and preparing to meet both current and future healthcare needs.
Q. What does the telehealth component look like and how does it fit into the larger approach?
A. Think about the last time you had a minor illness, such as a cold, sore throat, or mild infection. Did you really want to leave the house and sit in a doctor’s waiting room? The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way people view and want to consume healthcare, and has shown us all that many conditions can be effectively treated from home.
As we move forward post-pandemic, patients expect even more convenience and flexibility in how they access care.
Our virtual care system is designed to meet that demand for patients in Phoenix. It is fully HIPAA compliant, guarantees patient privacy and is built on an easy-to-use platform developed in collaboration with Healow.
This technology allows patients to connect virtually with healthcare providers, whether for routine checkups, managing chronic conditions, or addressing more immediate issues. It streamlines care by providing fast and safe access to quality healthcare.
However, virtual care is only one piece of the puzzle. We also return home visits. Later this fall, we will offer in-person and remote home visits using MedWand-connected technology, allowing our healthcare providers – doctors and nurses – to conduct a remote home visit with all the clinical data needed from the body. temperature to ECG/ECG measurements. The MedWand also has an ultra high-definition camera to capture images of the throat, ears, nose, skin and more.
For many patients, especially those who need more hands-on care, we have integrated home visits as part of our broader omnichannel approach. Home visits provide the hands-on care that some patients need but are difficult to access due to mobility issues, lack of transportation, or simply a desire to avoid exposure in a clinical setting. For patients who may need help with the MedWand, a medical assistant can come to their home to assist.
All our omnichannel solutions work together. For example, a patient can start with a telehealth consultation to evaluate their condition, and if necessary, we can seamlessly coordinate a home visit, an in-person clinic visit or more regular home care. This hybrid approach ensures that patients receive the care they need, where and when they need it.
Ultimately, virtual care fits into our larger omnichannel strategy by expanding access to care and providing patients with more choices. This allows us to meet patients where they are.
Q. What does the remote patient monitoring component look like and how does it fit into the larger approach?
A. Remote patient monitoring is a fundamental part of our omnichannel care approach and is available to our home care patients. For patients who need it, RPM allows physicians to continuously monitor and manage patients’ health in real-time by using smart connected devices that monitor key vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and oxygen levels.
This data is made available to providers, allowing them to recognize early warning signs and intervene before conditions worsen. This proactive care can prevent complications and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
For home care patients who need continuous monitoring – whether recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or dealing with multiple health issues – RPM is a powerful solution.
What makes RPM particularly powerful is its ability to keep patients healthier at home, reducing the chance of hospital readmissions or emergency room visits. By monitoring patients 24 hours a day, we can address issues early, adjust treatment plans in real time, and provide personalized, data-driven care tailored to their unique needs.
In the bigger picture, RPM strengthens our omnichannel approach by enabling us to provide proactive, patient-centered care. Whether a home care patient uses RPM in addition to virtual check-ins or in combination with in-home services, RPM ensures he or she receives the right care at the right time – wherever they are. This not only improves the overall patient experience, but also allows patients to manage their health and remain independent at home.
Q. How will outcomes improve with the addition of these healthcare technologies? What are your goals?
A. As healthcare technology continues to evolve, it is changing the way care is approached and delivered. Whether it’s faster, more accurate access to patient data, improving healthcare accessibility or using innovative diagnostic tools and devices, technology plays a critical role in improving patient outcomes, reducing costs and improving of the overall healthcare experience.
Our primary goal is to expand services that make quality healthcare more convenient, accessible and cost-effective, while achieving better health outcomes and increasing patient satisfaction. By evolving from a traditional home care provider to an organization that offers a comprehensive range of services – such as in-person visits, virtual care, remote patient monitoring, home visits and hospice care – we are better equipped to meet the needs of our growing aging population. population, especially here in Arizona.
This omnichannel care model allows us to provide personalized, proactive care that keeps patients healthier and more independent while reducing hospitalizations and emergency visits. Ultimately, these technologies enable patients to participate more actively in their own care, improving outcomes and quality of life. In fact, a study published in the medical journal BMJ Open has shown that connected care technologies such as RPM can reduce the number of hospital admissions for patients with heart and COPD conditions.
Patients using RPM often improve self-management of chronic conditions by allowing patients to monitor their vital signs at home and stay engaged with their care teams, which promotes adherence to treatment plans. Such involvement translates into better health outcomes and fewer hospital admissions.
In the bigger picture, the transformation of our company not only positions us to better serve our patients here in Arizona, but also aligns with the broader goals of the healthcare industry: improving quality of care, utilizing new technologies, lowering costs and making healthcare more accessible to everyone. These technologies are critical to achieving these goals, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of that change.
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