The American TeleCare Telehealth System connects a Provider Station to any number of Video Patient Stations using ordinary phone lines. 1010 Video Patient Station has a one button patient activation for ease of use by the client.The system operates in real-time, permits two-way personal conversations and utilizes an integrated movable color camera, video monitor, microphone and speakerphone. Patients can be closely monitored in the comfort of their homes.The use of the Patient Station directs focus on promoting the individual's long-term wellness, self-management of ones illness and promotes ongoing health.The system is simple to operate, easy to install, has a pleasing appearance and capable of connecting to a variety of medical peripherals. Some of the medical peripherals include a telephonic stethoscope, an electronic oscillometric blood pressure and pulse meter. This system is ideal for patients with heart failure, COPD and wound care. The camera is movable and the patient with a wound can easily remove the camera to the affected site for clarity, and the video patient station can also download high-resolution digital snapshots.This data is transmitted to the provider station and permantly stored for easy retrieval. The NSLIJ Home Care Network uses the American TeleCare Sytem and it has a positive effect on patient care encounters.
Telehealth facilitates a shift in healthcare technology that has moved some patient consultations from the examination room to the desktop, as healthcare providers can still treat those patients that have limited access to hospitals and clinics (Schlachta-Fairchild, sparks & Fitzpatrick, 1998). Products like the ATI Patient Station are instrumental in bringing telehealth to healthcare. A future nurses enter the profession we need to expand our horizons and open up the doors to the visions of Informatics and Informational Technology, this will incorporate best nursing practices that will ultimately benefit our patients.