The pandemic has changed the way we live. We are working from home, going to school from home, and even seeing the doctor from home. Telehealth until now has been reserved for people who are too far from a doctor or hospital to receive care through conventional means, but in the age of social distancing we are all too far away from our healthcare providers. Even therapists are starting to see people via teletherapy, which brings much needed services to the comfort of our own homes. But for more challenging cases, is telehealth really an option?
Wound care is critical for people with certain health conditions. Diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, HIV/AIDS, and more can make it difficult for wounds to heal, and these are the same conditions that also make patients more susceptible to COVID-19. Patients in nursing homes, home care settings, hospice, and skilled nursing are at high risk for developing wounds that need long-term care and healing supervision. Unfortunately those are the same facilities that have stopped allowing providers from the outside world in in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
But ensuring that wounds heal properly is still crucial. Unhealed wounds can lead to infections, unnecessary amputations, and more. Fortunately new technology makes it possible for wound care providers to accurately monitor a wound’s healing through a telehealth interface. Things like depth and color are important indicators of whether a wound is properly healing, and regular technology can’t always convey that correctly. New tech can adjust for color, depth, and more so physicians get a more clear understanding of the wound’s progress.
Learn more about telehealth for wound care below.
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