TRU Community Care (TRU), a non-profit health care organization that provides a continuum of care for individuals living with advanced illness and loss, is using tele-health technology (TRU TeleCare) to safely and effectively deliver uninterrupted care to the community’s most vulnerable populations.
TRU has deployed tele-health tablets to palliative care and hospice patients to proactively manage disease progression and make it easier for patients and families to remotely communicate with care providers, TRU, and one another. Patients answer daily questions in one of 22 disease specific clinical pathways, customizable to each patient so that questions, alerts, and educational materials are uniquely targeted. The platform facilitates daily monitoring and interaction between patients and TRU clinical staff who respond immediately to concerning data points with a call. This virtual care approach is in keeping with social distancing recommendations and is aligned with TRU’s philosophy of enabling patients to remain comfortably at home while receiving the care they require.
TRU has also deployed tablets to hospital and facility partners to enable tele-admissions, host virtual patient/family visits, and conduct virtual rounds. Many hospitals and long-term care facilities have had to limit, if not eliminate, visitors. TRU TeleCare allows for seamless and uninterrupted care and communication while adhering to restrictions put in place to minimize the spread of the virus.
“It’s incredible to see the difference this service has made for both patients and providers,” said Jim Woodard, TRU’s Chief Operating Officer. “I’ve been in health care for decades and have never seen an organization mobilize so quickly to offer what is needed most in the given moment. Improving quality of care and decreasing hospitalizations is always top of mind, and TRU Tele-Care is doing both while allowing us to provide uninterrupted service during this critical time. Patients, families, and providers are thanking us daily.”