1. Tele Medicine Consultations
Tele Health Services in the Himalayas: Operation Challenges
Ganapathy K, Premanad S, Chandralekha J, Lovakanth N, Arunabh Sarma
Apollo Tele Health Services
Introduction
Under Himachal Pradesh Tele Health Services Programme, quality health care services are being provided at two isolated locations, Kaza and Keylong. This, first of a kind PPP provides 24X7 access to primary and specialist care.
Results
Period
April 2015 to September 2016
Total cases seen
4867
Males
2358
Females
2509
Most common Specialty consultations
Orthopedics
684 (14.1%)
Dermatology
487 (10%)
Obstetrics & Gynecology
346 (7.1%)
Pediatrics
334 (6.9%)
Gastroenterology
329 (6.8%)
Tele Laboratory
Total number of tests done using POCD devices
2001
Patient Satisfaction Rating
“Excellent” rating by beneficiaries
70%
Materials and Methods
Turnkey solution on Program Management Mode (PMM).
Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) installed amidst landslides and Sub-zero temperatures
.Local coordinators provided Apollo Chennai
Doctors at Apollo Main Hospitals, Chennai sensitized about prevailing rural conditions
Point of Care Diagnostics stationed at remote centers
Complete emergency set up installed
Outreach activities through dedicated coordinators
Constant Internal audit and re-audit performed
Voice of Customer programme to obtain patient feedback
Tele Medicine Consultations
Conclusions
In spite of challenges like internet connectivity, power supply, and availability of medicines, this programme provides a proof of concept that quality health can be provided in isolated mountainous areas.
Setting Up the Tele Medicine Centers
POCD
Devices
References
Tele Medicine Services in the Himalayas: Operational Challenges (Ganapahty K, Chandralekha J, Premanand S):