Concierge healthcare may sound like it’s referring to on-call doctors tending only to the super-rich, but the reality is thankfully not so narrow. These subscription-based services are often affordable to the average American, and even preferable to current insurance-driven models. But what you might be surprised to learn is that traditional doctors can use telehealth and telephone nurse triage to reduce patient costs even further and still provide concierge-level care. In fact, the continuity of care that telehealth nurses establish between patients and their physicians has saved significant revenue for the healthcare system already (see our Ebook on Nurse Telehealth Trends). The following explains why an after-hours nurse triage can do the same for your practice.
What is concierge healthcare?
Concierge healthcare refers to healthcare providers who are available to their patients 24/7, offering customized care advice that often requires an upfront monthly or annual fee. Yet traditional doctors can offer the same level of care accessibility without the upfront costs by either incorporating their own in-house nurse triage, or outsourcing it to a healthcare technology organization. For example, TriageLogic’s clinical call center of certified RNs can be available to your patients whenever they need, with the option to use customized orders from your practice in conjunction with our nurse triage software. Those orders might include verifying patient telehealth eligibility and scheduling those visits on behalf of your providers, referring patients to specific hospitals as needed, assigning specific OTC medications, or addressing specific discharge instructions. (Read more about custom orders and how they work.) Practices that want to use their own nurses to answer patient calls can also sign up for electronic protocols and an easy-to-use nurse triage software.
How is nurse triage like concierge healthcare?
Concierge healthcare is popular because patients appreciate the added attention from their providers, while those same providers appreciate having more time to manage their number of patients. In many cases, this could mean avoiding provider burnout and depression, says Healthcare Finance. We’ve seen the same benefits using nurse triage, because it creates an added layer of accessibility so that all patient calls are answered, and physicians have a guaranteed resource for prioritizing their care. Our nurses use established Schmitt-Thompson protocols to advise patients on whether their symptoms should be managed at home, by a PCP visit, or at the emergency room. And ERs are where we see the biggest benefit from this guidance: patients are less likely to go there unnecessarily, but also more inclined to go when their symptoms indicate a worsening condition. This has led to more positive patient experiences and better health outcomes.
What nurse triage services do you need?
Whether you need the most up-to-date Schmitt-Thompson protocols, triage software, or telehealth nurse support, TriageLogic is here to help. Our services can be coupled with your office’s standard practices to make it as effective as concierge-level care for a fraction of the price. Click here to schedule time for a discovery call and discussion.
About TriageLogic
TriageLogic is a URAC-accredited, physician-led provider of top-quality nurse telehealth technology, remote patient monitoring, and medical call center solutions. Founded in 2007, the TriageLogic Group now serves more than 9,000 physicians and covers over 25 million lives nationwide.
