title: Telehealth for nursing homes: the utilization of specialist services for residential care.
abstract: Specialist care consultations were identified by two research nurses using documentation in patient records, appointment diaries, electronic billing services and on-site observations at a 441-bed long term care facility. Over a six-month period there were 3333 consultations (a rate of 1511 consultations per year per 100 beds). Most consultations were for general practice (n = 2589, 78%); these consultations were mainly on site (99%), with only 27 taking place off site. There were 744 consultations for specialities other than general practice. A total of 146 events related to an emergency or unplanned hospital admission. The remaining medical consultations (n = 598, 18%) related to 23 medical specialities. The largest number of consultations were for surgery (n = 106), podiatry (n = 100), nursing services including wound care (n = 74), imaging (n = 41) and ophthalmology (n = 40). Many services which are currently being provided on site to metropolitan long-term care facilities could be provided by telehealth in both urban and rural facilities.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Leonard C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Sisira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edirippulige
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Theodoros
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin-Khan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D008511:Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration