Telemedicine usage has seen a varied response since its inception. Peaking during COVID-19, the practice has allowed underserved communities renewed access to specialties without travel, particularly in nephrology. According to Penn Medicine, Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD), a disease where the kidneys progressively fail over time, affects nearly 33 million Americans and is expected to grow to 36 million over the next ten years. The concerning rise in kidney disease poses significant challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. The impact of this surge extends beyond individual patients, affecting hospitals and healthcare providers alike. However, telemedicine offers a solution through new channels for diagnosis, management, and patient care.
The Escalating Crisis of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease has been on the rise globally. According to recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 10% of the world’s population and 15% of US Adults. Contributing factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity have fueled this epidemic, placing a growing burden on healthcare systems.
Impact on Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
The surge in kidney disease has placed a growing pressure on hospitals and healthcare providers. Managing patients with kidney-related complications requires specialized care, uniquely adjusted to each patient. This typically includes a combination of regular monitoring, medication management, and potential dialysis or transplant procedures. Consequently, hospitals with nephrologists are grappling with an increased demand for nephrology services, strained resources, and longer patient wait times.
On top of the lack of time and personnel, the cost of treating kidney disease is substantial. A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that in the United States alone, annual Medicare spending on CKD patients exceeds $84 billion, representing a significant economic burden on the healthcare system.
In rural communities, the impact is even greater. Due to the lack of local nephrologists and resources, rural hospitals and clinics are forced to transfer patients to larger, overwhelmed hospitals impacting the quality and timeliness of care for patients. The rise in telemedicine for nephrology offers enhanced care and improved outcomes for rural patients who are required to stay on top of their kidney disease management.
The Role of Telemedicine in Kidney Disease Management
Telemedicine offers major support to nephrology departments in rural communities with remote monitoring, increased access to specialists, and patient education at the top of the list.
- Access to Specialist Care: In regions with limited access to nephrology specialists, telemedicine bridges the gap by connecting patients with remote healthcare providers. Even in urban areas, the wait list for just a consultation can span months. Virtual consultations allow patients to receive expert advice, second opinions, and ongoing management quickly, without the need for physical travel.
- Remote Monitoring: Telemedicine enables specialized healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients admitted to hospitals and clinics with kidney disease, tracking vital signs, medication adherence, and disease progression. Through connected devices and digital platforms, patients can transmit data such as blood pressure readings, fluid intake, and lab results to a virtualized specialist healthcare team, facilitating timely interventions and personalized care plans.
- Primary Care Consultations: Telemedicine also gives valuable nephrology specialty access to primary care and attending hospitalist physicians. This can greatly improve patient outcomes by delivering valuable disease intervention advice and guidance on specialist treatment plans and therapies.
The rising prevalence of kidney disease presents a new and growing challenge for hospitals and clinics. Through telemedicine, patients receive improved care in all communities. Eagle offers nephrology care presented to the emergency department and during inpatient care. They can provide even the most rural of communities with exceptional specialist support. Through resources such as Eagle Telemedicine, healthcare systems can optimize resources and change their patient care for the better, mitigating the struggles of the increase in kidney diseases in individuals and communities. For more information about Eagle’s tele-nephrology service, click here.
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