From an evolution standpoint, the methods for information transfer and communication have come a long way from the days of the telegraph. Up until the 1990s, the fax machine was the most widely used communication device in almost all industries. The 21st century ushered in a new age of mobile and web-based communication tools. The American healthcare system, however, remains stuck in the past. As it stands, approximately 75% of all medical communication still takes place via fax. While an overwhelming majority of clinics, hospitals, and post-acute care (PAC) providers have digitized their patient records, the means to share this electronic information across different healthcare settings proves difficult.

Collaborating across the continuum of care is becoming increasingly important, a point crystallized by one health care technology company’s rapid growth—and success in bringing together some of the nation’s largest home health and private duty providers, as well as rehabilitation companies and health systems.

As patient communication increases, Crystal Lake-based Centegra Health System finds readmission rates decrease.

A primary focus in health care, from hospitals, the government and private insurers, is to improve treatment and efficiency. One key measurement: readmission rates.

enTouch continues to expand network across Chicago to enhance care in the home

PreparedHealth today announced that Crystal Home Health Care has joined the enTouch Network. Crystal Home Health Care is a Medicare Certified, Joint Commission Accredited company specializing in skilled home health services to Chicago and surrounding suburban areas.

It isn’t a secret that the post-acute care industry is changing. Over the last decade, there have been two significant structural changes in the market: Medicare’s movement away from a fee-for-service pricing model to a value-based care model, and the growth of Medicare Advantage. These shifts present multiple challenges for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).

Progressive nursing facilities are evolving to operate more similarly to hospitals due to growing engagement in bundled payment arrangements and a devotion to improved patient outcomes. This shift in outcome ownership and shared financial responsibility has led to a need for more efficient patient transitions and increased visibility after the point of discharge. With a national presence, a predominate SNF partnered with enTouch to drive real-time communication with their internal service lines and downstream partners to focus on these goals. Within one year, the project’s primary skilled nursing facility saw rehospitalizations reduced by half.

Becker's Hospital Review announced this week their list of Female Health IT Leaders to Know, highlighting an incredible group of female leaders across hospitals, health systems and health IT vendors. We're excited to announce that PreparedHealth's CTO, Erin Karam, was included in such an impressive list.

Innovative Partnership Will Deliver on the Promise of Better Care at Home

PreparedHealth today announced that FOX Rehabilitation has joined the enTouch Network to streamline health-related communication around their patients. FOX Rehabilitation is a clinician-owned and operated professional private practice of full-time physical, occupational, and speech therapists, built on the foundation of Geriatric House Calls™, with over 950 clinicians practicing in 16 states and growing. FOX Rehabilitation intends to roll out enTouch in their Pennsylvania and New Jersey markets, with a focus on care transition management and care coordination. The partnership is a significant step in expanding the care continuum in the area, keeping to the enTouch promise of connecting providers from hospital to home.

Centegra Health System opted to participate in CMS' Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative. But at first, it wasn't sure how it was going to track, chart and monitor a patient's progress throughout a full 90-day episode of care.

Join us for an inside look at the enTouch implementation at Centegra Health System. Centegra began using enTouch for improved communication with post-acute providers around their high-risk BPCI patients.