Roving about the hospital on wheels, the InTouch Health® RP-VITA® robot lets doctors see and talk with patients, families, and staff in the intensive care unit in the middle of the night. From their home computers, doctors guide the robot, connect via secure video, and virtually respond to urgent needs in a matter of minutes.
The Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy’s latest Policy Story shows how a three-month pilot of InTouch® helped physicians improve communications and respond to after-hours emergencies at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Fremont, CA. Champions of this new technology are attempting to spread its use across the organization.
This exciting development is just one innovation being tested at Kaiser Permanente, where an extensive support system enables physicians and front-line staff to bring new ideas to life.
The Story also suggests ways to overcome innovation road blocks in health care when trying to get ideas moving. Here’s one of the tips: Share best practices to generate enthusiasm through blogging, email updates, and demonstrations.
We’re following our own advice with this blog thanks to the Center for Total Health. Please pass it on.
