An innovative telehealth cart is bringing families closer together at The Good Shepherd Home, in Townsville, especially for crucial conversations with health professionals.
One of the home's residents recently connected to a family member who lived remotely and a GP for a care plan review and case conference - via the new telehealth cart.
"It was so nice to see mum and speak with her," the family member said. "It was also nice to speak with the doctor in real-time using telehealth video conferencing. The audio and visual was very clear."
The Good Shepherd Home is one of 36 North Queensland residential aged care homes (RACHs) using the new VisionFlex telehealth cart, which is funded by the Northern Australian Regional Digital Health Collaborative (NARDHC) and the Department of Health and Aged Care through Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN).
The Good Shepherd Home CEO Brian Matthews is pleased with the cart and its impact.
"The telehealth cart is more than just a tool, it's a bridge that is helping our residents maintain meaningful connections with their families," Mr Matthews said.
"It allows them to engage with their loved ones, whether they're catching up socially or working together on important care plan reviews.
"It's been especially helpful for family members and nominated representatives who do not live locally so they can feel move involved and informed about their loved one's health."
Mr Matthews said the telehealth approach meant family members and nominated representatives could join video consultations remotely.
"It's working to break down barriers and ensure everyone can be involved in their loved one's care," Mr Matthews.
"This is also making residents feel more at ease and supported.
"We believe the cart is enhancing residents' access to essential health services, while creating precious family time."
Mr Matthew said the cart had improved referral and assessment times for residents, giving them access to GPs between site-scheduled visits.
"We believe there are many benefits to telehealth in RACHs in the future, including electronic medication charting, documenting and prescribing remotely, a reduction in transferrals to hospital and reducing pressure on the emergency department after hours, and access to other visiting allied health services and specialists," he said.
The telehealth carts support practitioners in accessing information and improving medication safety and prescribing.
They are easy to use and convenient for GPs, residential aged care home staff, and residents, and include HD cameras, a full-size patient-facing monitor, high-performing computer equipment, and a range of USB peripherals for vital readings and patient monitoring.
Accessibility options such as live speech-to-text transcription and closed captioning are also included for patients with hearing and vision impairment.
Mr Matthews said The Good Shepherd Home was using the telehealth cart for digital health assessments to provide information as part of a physical examination, such as skin care, or assessment of wounds or vital signs.
