Internet Accessibility To Benefit Home Health

Technology has undoubtedly improved accuracy in home healthcare which results in better patient care. Telehealth has aided in reducing hospitalization and emergent care visits by allowing the remote monitoring of patients' vital signs and even their gait. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) softwares promote real-time documentation and has proven to bridge the gap between effective care and care coordination.

A major vehicle that drives these tools: the Internet. 

While offline iterations of PT & INR machines, EMR mobile apps, or weighing scales are currently available, mobile connectivity continues to be a staple for home healthcare. The explosion of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets brought with it the accessibility of mobile internet through major wireless and internet providers like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast, to name a few of the giants. Until now and in the near future. The FCC has voted to allow more Internet band spectrum available to mobile data. This will lower the cost and make mobile internet widely accessible from more providers.

What does this mean for home health? More patients will be served in areas where mobile internet may have been previously non-existent. Data transfers may become faster for quicker assessments and treatment turn-around. Home health agencies will further improve documentation compliance and care communication.