The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announces the November 6 issue of the Health Care Innovations Exchange (http://www.innovations.ahrq.
- The featured Innovations describe three programs that used virtual visits to increase patient access to health care. The programs include one in which a solo practitioner provided year-round, 24-hour-a-day access to care for her patients through liberal use of “virtual” or e-mail visits and telephone calls; another that used an online clinic to diagnose and treat minor health problems with a protocol-based treatment plan; and one that allowed patients with skin conditions to submit their medical history and photographs through secure, Web-based applications for review by a dermatologist.
- The featured QualityTools include a Web site that offers resources on using technology to assist care coordination and improve the independence of older adults, a guide for developing a remote diabetic retinopathy screening program, and a toolkit for developing telehealth activities.
- To access more innovation profiles
and tools related to virtual visits and telehealth, go to http://www.innovations.ahrq.
gov/innovations_qualitytools. aspx?categoryID=54553& taxonomyID=54617.
