What are the Basic Telehealth Hardware Requirements?

Reliable and Fast Internet:

Internet speed and bandwidth are imperative to sending and receiving patients’ medical data. Talk with your internet service provider to see if they can accommodate your bandwidth needs. An appropriate bandwidth makes sure your internet services are reliable in your pursuit of telemedicine. Your internet provider will be able to configure your network to serve the dual communication system telemedicine requires.

A Backup System:

While a good internet connection is necessary for telemedicine services, sometimes even the most reliable networks can fail. Use a backup system to protect your telemedicine services from unexpected data outages. Investing in a backup network is something any healthcare facility should look into.

Digital Medical Scopes and Accessories:

Digital medical devices are critical to administering specialty care through telemedicine. These are highly functional high-tech tools that help to make a telemedicine visit as productive and similar to a real-life visit as possible. Digital medical devices commonly used are virtual stethoscopes which work by utilizing the microphone on the patient’s device to record and then stream audio files to the doctor. Your patients can record audio clips from their heart, lungs, or digestive system.

Another standard device is wireless scales which ensure a precise reading of your patient’s weight. Digital records of a patient’s weight make it easier to prescribe medication and treatments correctly. Virtual thermometers also allow doctors to track changes in the patient’s condition. Pulse oximeters are another useful device to monitor a patient’s oxygen level, especially if they have COVID-19.

Tablets:

Tablets are the perfect tool for any telemedicine provider to invest in because of their versatility in any practice. They can be used as a digital clipboard to store detailed notes on patients’ health, easily transferred to electronic health record systems.

Many digital health accessories such as the digital stethoscope have their apps, making it easier for medical providers to transmit, store, and analyze their patients’ data. Although a tablet won’t take the place of a full PC, it can be an indispensable tool all the same.

Related: What is Telehealth and How Can Telehealth Help Patients?

Costs of Telehealth Hardware

Healthcare providers looking to expand their services into the telehealth domain often wonder about the costs of this expansion and wonder if the revenue opportunities of telemedicine outweigh the initial investment. However, if you are a care provider, know what you don’t need to invest significantly immediately. Your specific needs of equipment depend on multiple factors such as the size and location of your organization, specialization, and staff-patient ratio. 

The most crucial consideration for telemedicine is your internet bandwidth. It would be best to have a reliable and consistent bandwidth with high upload and download for eventful times.

The first step is to look for a reliable Internet service provider with a commitment to reliable service. For video conferencing, you may get an online-based telemedicine portal that is either software or hardware-based. A software portal can cost $1,500 per patient with no cost for you, the provider. The cost for hardware-based video conferencing can start around $10,000 per patient site and increases with the number of sites you need.

The specific medical devices you need depend on the specialties you offer with telemedicine. You can purchase what you need to get started for basics, which can range from $5,000-$10,000 and include examination cameras, ENT scopes, and digital stethoscopes. You can add additional specialized devices later on.

Citations:

https://evisit.com/resources/telemedicine-telehealth-equipment/

https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619175772847/GRA0007123.pdf