Pre-operative telehealth has become the need of the hour when
the entire world faces the COVID-19 crisis.
Pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative are three phases of the
surgery process.
The main objective of pre-operative and post-operative care is
to provide better conditions for minimally invasive surgery patients before,
during, and after the surgery. Many patients will frequently visit the clinic
or hospital to attend their appointment in person.
Remember, this can increase costs and cause you to have
time-consuming journeys. Thanks to advanced, cutting-edge technology,
telehealth has become more sophisticated today.
Health institutions, hospitals, and clinics focus more on telehealth
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose is to avoid spreading or getting infections.
Likewise, long distances and lack of professional doctors is the biggest
challenge for healthcare in remote locations.
It means the patient will travel long distances to meet his or
her doctor or surgeon before the surgery. If the planned surgery needs the
patient to come in for pre-operative or post-operative exams, it can double the
surgery cost.
This is something very unaffordable for many patients. Reduced
costs and time are two valuable benefits of pre-operative telehealth for minimally
invasive surgery patients. In today’s article, we will talk about the benefits
of pre-operative telehealth. Read on!
Benefits
of Pre-operative Telehealth
There are many benefits of pre-operative and post-operative
telehealth for minimally invasive surgery patients. Surgeons can connect with
patients through high-quality videoconferencing tools and conduct pre-operative
telehealth examinations, such as blood glucose levels, blood pressure, ECG,
etc.
Health professionals can send and receive results directly to
the surgeon. Likewise, these results can be included in the patient record. When
it comes to post-operative telehealth for minimally invasive surgery patients,
they can ask questions and seek recommendations from the specialist
neurosurgeon.
Pre-operative and post-operative telehealth can relieve a lot
of stress that can occur before the minimally invasive surgery. Therefore,
telehealth can help patients to balance their psychological health before the
procedure.
Although some patients will stay in the hospital after the
surgery to avoid complications, others can go home and seek guidance via
videoconferencing tools or software. Some clinics have apps to facilitate
patients in this regard. Thus, patients can feel more comfortable and have
family support at home.
Moreover, telehealth physiotherapists can provide support to
patients through videoconferencing tools. Physiotherapists can assist minimally
invasive surgery patients and give them exercise tips to regain mobility during
the rehabilitation period. The purpose is to ensure all patients receive the
necessary post-operative care.
Pre-operative Telehealth during COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states sanctioned temporary
bans on non-emergent minimally invasive surgeries. The purpose is to reduce the
risk of infections and conserve medical supplies. Although these bands will
cause an estimated $200 billion in financial losses for health institutions, the
need of the hour is to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
That’s the reason many minimally invasive surgery clinics have
adopted telehealth solutions to connect with minimally invasive surgery
patients and generate revenue whenever possible. Recently, the health
department has lifted many of these restrictions, and health professionals
realize that patients do not want to get infected with the virus.
It means many patients won’t visit the hospital until there is
an emergency. Pre-operative telehealth and post-operative telehealth are great
ways for minimally invasive surgery patients to seek professional’s advice. It
is crucial to optimize the balance between in-person and telehealthcare.
Experts recommend necessary interactions should occur in
person, and other treatments or guidance should be done through
videoconferencing tools. That way, surgeons and physical therapists can
reassure patients that the risk of COVID-19 infections is minimized.
Telehealth solutions can expand access to minimally invasive
surgical care and improve intra-operative efficiencies. Minimally invasive
surgery patients can communicate with their surgeon or physical therapist to
get help on medications or exercises
from the comfort of their homes.
Conclusion
Telehealth is an advanced care option for people who require minimally
invasive spine surgery or during the rehabilitation period. It is a
collection of methods used to enhance pre-operative and post-operative surgical
care using telecommunication technologies.
Generally, telehealth encompasses a wide range of technologies
and methods to deliver virtual care to patients. Bear in mind that telehealth
is not a specific service offered to patients. It is a collection of techniques
that enhances care before and after the surgery.
Patients with back pain can contact their health providers via
teleconferencing tools, software, and apps. Pre-operative telehealth and
post-operative telehealth have become a new medical norm during the COVID-19 pandemic.