Telehealth services

Telehealth services

Telehealth Services

Telehealth service providers support healthcare activity through the use of information technology systems. Services might include simple triage and telephone advice or may include options for assessment, onward referral and/or treatment. Alternatively, it may be used to support and expedite review, diagnosis and continuing management of care along the whole pathway. The fundamental principal is that telemedicine is the provision of remote care in which decision-making is supported or directed using software solutions. The service may be provided by one organisation or subcontracted to an external provider of telehealth services. The type of telehealth consultation, whether it be by telephone or video consultation, will depend on the nature of the interaction, the clinical context and should include assurance that decision making, and interaction is safe and effective. Particular attention should be paid to risk management, safety, security, responsibility and integrity of the information management system.

• Service and information governance
• System integrity
• Information
• Patient pathway
• Competent staff

The CHKS Standards criteria address these elements through succinct criteria statements that are supported by guidance which helps the organisation understand the intent of the criteria, so that it can be applied in the local context. Additionally, references are provided to direct further reading on the relevant topic. Throughout the standards the criteria are linked to key assessment frameworks including ISO 9001, the Care Quality Commission, Quality Statements and the Health Information and Quality Authority, (Ireland) National Standards.