From Home to Health: Stockbridge VA Boosts Veteran Care With Telehealth
By Jeffrey Fitzmorris, Medical Photographer
This program is used to reduce hospital stays, hospital admissions, ER visits, as well as clinic visits.
Veterans at the Stockbridge VA Clinic are gaining new tools to manage chronic health conditions at home through VA’s Remote Patient Monitoring–Home Telehealth program.
The program provides Veterans with devices to track blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and other vital signs from their homes. The information is securely uploaded to an online system monitored by VA nurses and providers. The approach helps reduce emergency department visits, hospital admissions and unnecessary clinic appointments.
“This program is used to reduce hospital stays, hospital admissions, ER visits, as well as clinic visits,” said Brandis Hall, nurse manager for the Remote Patient Monitoring–Home Telehealth program. “We are here today to let Veterans and staff know about the program and to encourage enrollment.”
Clinical pharmacy practitioners say the technology improves coordination between nurses, pharmacists, and providers.
“We send referrals for Veterans who have heart failure, high blood pressure and diabetes,” said Jeremy Bennett, clinical pharmacy practitioner at the Stockbridge VA Clinic. “We can see their vitals, their blood sugars, and get the nurses to provide education. We fill in the gaps, and we’ve seen great outcomes and improvements with Veterans who participate.”
Bennett added that the program not only supports better health but also builds connections.
“The only complaint that I’ve got about the program is that it’s too much fun,” Bennett said. “The nurses call the Veterans; the Veterans call the nurses. They build families here.”
The Stockbridge VA team promoted the program Aug. 18 with demonstrations and education for Veterans and staff, part of a larger effort to expand awareness and enrollment across Georgia.