Annual Report 2023-2024

telehealth: Improving Access to Healthcare

Shriners Children’s embrace of telehealth adds another way to provide quicker, more convenient access to high-quality care

The use of video communication for medical purposes is not a new concept, but as Gigi Sorenson, RN, MSN, corporate director of telehealth, explains, now more than ever it is helping Shriners Children's pursue our vision of providing high-quality care for more kids in more places. “It’s just another way to take care of children. When you look at the overall mission at Shriners Children’s, to see more kids in more places for less cost, that is telehealth,” she said. “At Shriners Children’s we are embracing it as a normal part of multi-mobile care delivery.” Telehealth visits are all about convenience, letting patients see their Shriners Children’s healthcare team without going to a hospital or clinic. They can have a telehealth visit online using their computer, tablet or smartphone. Patients get the same quality of care they receive in person. Any paperwork that is required can be done online. Telehealth projects in the past year focused on integrating with our electronic health records systems, particularly as our use of Epic is expanding, and streamlining the process, to make things easier for patients and care providers alike. Telehealth makes it easier on the providers to know that they’re not going to lose touch with a patient who lives far away. They don’t have to worry that the plan of care they’ve put into place won’t get followed through on because the child couldn’t come into Shriners Children's. “So, it’s just part of that type of thought process, especially for our providers,” Sorenson said. “These kids have complex surgeries, complex care plans.

Telehealth makes an impact on whether or not you can follow through with them.” “Telehealth provides a window into the lives of patients and allows me to see how things in their environment may impact their health, especially when evaluating patients with long-term illnesses,” said Kim Lilly, PA, Shriners Children’s Lexington. “It is always a joy when they share favorite toys or pets during the visits, and it allows a special connection when I can ask about those things at future visits.” The benefits to patients are enormous. Access to telehealth saves patients and families and Shriners Children’s money, time and effort related to travel. More importantly,

it allows for continuity of care delivery without missing visits. “If we’re looking at how we best operate in the interest in our families so we can make sure they get the care they need, this added component is critical,” Sorenson said. “ Telehealth provides a window into the lives of patients and allows me to see how things in their environment may impact their health.”

– Kim Lilly, PA, Shriners Children’s Lexington

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