Virtual Prerscription Allowed by State

Even if the Affordable Care Act hadn’t pressured hospitals to treat people with non-life threatening conditions in the lowest possible cost setting, it should have been common sense to do so. Emergency Rooms, which can revive failed hearts, don’t need to be flooded with ear aches and sprained ankles. To address this, Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia is investing $20m in two virtual urgent care clinics which rely on telemedicine. One will be close to the ER; the other, further away. Part of the project is to train caregivers in telemedicine practices, and build up remote monitoring that eventually can extend to patients’ homes.   MORE

Image Credit: Bloomberg.com