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Grand Manan is finding success with a virtual health-care service that complements the southern New Brunswick island\u2019s regular hospital hours, despite lack of success in Sussex earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has really provided the opportunity to have those physician visits after hours, when in the past, maybe that didn’t always happen,\u201d said Grand Manan Mayor Bonnie Morse.<\/p>\n
Teladoc Health is a virtual service that connects patients in the hospital with a doctor working remotely. Horizon Health Network piloted the program in St. Stephen and Sussex, but it was cancelled in Sussex in June because of reports that it wasn’t working before moving to Grand Manan. <\/p>\n
Morse said the Grand Manan Hospital is staffed 24\/7 with at least one nurse practitioner while the island\u2019s three doctors staff the hospital\u2019s regular hours, a family practice and outpatient care.<\/p>\n
There is always a doctor on call after hours for serious events, such as a car accident or heart attack, according to Morse.<\/p>\n
In less severe instances, a nurse practitioner and a Teladoc physician examine and care for patients. Previously, patients would be asked to return to the hospital the next day to see the doctor.<\/p>\n
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Horizon’s virtual pilot uses Toronto-based Teladoc Health Canada technology, including electronic stethoscopes and handheld cameras. (Horizon Health Network\/Facebook)<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople go to the hospital after hours, a physician is available to examine them over the computer and they can receive that care immediately without having to return,\u201d said Morse.<\/p>\n
She said because of the Teladoc pilot that began in the summer, the hospital is now seeing a big increase in patient satisfaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople seem very happy with it,” said Morse. “It’s, you know, that additional level of care because … if your child has an earache, you want them to have attention as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The municipality is hearing that there are fewer followup visits leading to less pressure on doctors.<\/p>\n
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Bonnie Morse, the mayor of Grand Manan, is pleased with how Teladoc is strengthening physician care after hours. (Village of Grand Manan)<\/p>\n
Horizon Health is also reporting improvements at the hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeladoc has shown positive results in improving wait times for lower-acuity medical needs, the rate of patients leaving the emergency department without being seen and emergency department length of stay,” said Greg Doiron, vice-president of clinical operations, in an emailed statement.<\/p>\n
Horizon did not provide an interview about the Teladoc pilot and its future.<\/p>\n
The statement also said all patients were assessed by a physician after hours with virtual coverage, compared to only 59 per cent when there was no virtual coverage.<\/p>\n
From June to September the hospital saw 134 after-hours patients and 98 per cent were able to be fully treated virtually.<\/p>\n
While Grand Manan is seeing improvements, after the Teladoc pilot began last winter in Sussex and St. Stephen, it received criticism for being a misuse of funds from the New Brunswick Medical Society<\/a> and was ultimately cancelled in Sussex in June.<\/p>\n