AHRQ https://www.ahrq.gov awarded the grant Leveraging Health System Telehealth and Informatics Infrastructure to Create a Continuum of Services for COVID-19 Screening, Testing, and Treatment: A Learning Health System Approach to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) for $999,845.
MUSC has a well developed and tested disaster plan including Virtual Urgent Care offering free telehealth consultations and screenings when in person visits were not feasible.
In the initial weeks of the pandemic, MUSC set up four telehealth programs utilizing virtual care across multidisciplinary teams. With the grant funding, researchers are going to examine how to improve implemented telehealth programs and innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
First, researchers will look for any shortcomings in program implementation and identify ways to reduce potential disparities by studying:
- If virtual urgent care screening proved to be effective during COVID-19
- If remote patient monitoring for COVID-19 positive patients achieved results
- If continuous virtual monitoring helps to reduce workforce risk
- If the use of personal protective equipment achieved results
- If transitioning outpatient care to telehealth was effective
Next, the research team will conduct a longitudinal data analyses on the MUSC Health System and South Carolina State-level cohorts by examining administrative systems records, conduct prospective interviews to study system responses, and discuss provider insights regarding the implementation impact. The research team will deploy a range of dissemination methods to reach internal and external audiences.
Go to https://digital.ahrq.gov/ahrq-funded-projects/search for more information. The research goal is to evolve patient care post COVID-19, to ensure the highest quality of care, support changes in payment regulations, and reduce health disparities that are currently present with the delivery of telehealth services.