Years ago I was privileged to hear Leland Kaiser, a healthcare futurist, speak about a notion of "hospitals without walls." His futuristic vision asked the audience of hospital professionals to think of your hospital's census at midnight on Christmas eve (my acute census was 2). His next statement caused me to gulp, "that will be your AVERAGE census for the year in 20 years time."
Fast forward from those days in the late 90's to now, where everywhere I see the explosion of telemedicine technologies. This article in the
Telemedicne and E-Health News Alert illustrates that the fastet growth between now and 2015 will be telemedicne technologies for the home and notes a 2008 study that projects the US can save $197B over 25 years through the adoption of remote (home) monitoring alone.
This notion of "hospital without walls" is becoming more possible each day. This far-off prediction is now "here." The implications of these trends may lead us to a total shift in how we organize ourselves to provide care and rural can lead the way! Our nimble, community-minded providers of care can adapt and implement faster and better than our urban counterparts.
Tom Henton, Policy Congress member representing the Hospital CG put forward a policy paper that does exactly that, start a discussion on flexibility for rual providers to design the systems of care their communities' need. June Collmer of Virginia has started a "telehealth" Discussion group to further the dialogue on this important rural health subject. Join this member generated discussion group!
Other innovative and creative ideas are welcome in this member community of rural patriots known as NRHA Connect.