Step by Step Process for Requesting eConsults for Distant Site Telehealth

Requesting an eConsult is easy. In this video, Myra Varnado, a certified wound and ostomy care nurse at Corstrata, explains how to request virtual consultations using the AristaMD telehealth technology.

Distant Site Telehealth for Wound Care

AristaMD works with Corstrata, a distant site telehealth company that provides access to certified wound and ostomy nurse specialist. In this video, Myra Varnado discusses the process of ordering an eConsult for wound care.

Step 1:  The primary care provider submits a physician consult request using AristaMD. Images, patient history, and related clinical documentation are included in the distant site telehealth request.

Step 2: A wound and ostomy care nurse reviews the patient’s chart, comments from the primary care provider and the images.

Step 3: The nurse sends recommendations and patient resources to the requesting provider via the AristaMD platform. If it’s a wound dressing, the nurse may provide patient education on how to dress the wound and keep it clean until the wound is fully healed.

Step 4: In the final step, AristaMD uploads the eConsult response and notifies the provider by email. At this time, the provider can ask questions of the wound care nurse or simply close the distant site telehealth case.

A Provider’s Perspective on eConsult Implementation

Implementing new technologies within any medical practice or health system can be daunting. But as technologies have appeared and demonstrated their value, providers have been at the forefront, forging paths toward implementation for the good of their patients. eConsults, a form of telehealth that enables primary care physicians to consult with specialists via secure online messaging platform, represent a promising technology for health care providers. However, barriers to implementation remain as providers wonder about the effects of eConsult implementation on their workflow and their ability to provide quality care.

By: Dr. Patrick Welch, DO, Family Medicine, CHC Central Coast

It is approaching one year that my health care organization, CHC Central Coast, has been leveraging an eConsult platform. As a provider, I feel it’s important to look to the experiences of organizations and clinical leaders that have successfully implemented and realized the benefits of technologies such as eConsults.

Organizational Challenges and Goals

At CHC Central Coast, we face several challenges as a health organization. For example, as a federally qualified health center, access to specialists can sometimes be limited. Our rural clinics face barriers such as lack of transportation, or financial burdens. When patients don’t get the care they need, their health as well as confidence in their healthcare providers weakens. We are consistently challenged as an organization to most efficiently and effectively shepherd and manage resources to care for our patient population.