If you're looking for rehabilitation solutions that improve patient outcomes and help healthcare facilities generate revenue, VAST.Rehab has got you covered. Our therapy services are designed to do just that, and in this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how our solutions can benefit your facility.

The Challenges Facing Healthcare Facilities Today

Healthcare facilities face numerous challenges today, including increasing competition, rising costs, and regulatory pressures. These challenges can make it difficult for facilities to manage themselves, generate revenue, and improve patient outcomes. In this blog post, we'll delve into these challenges and explore how healthcare facilities can overcome them.

Increasing Competition

Healthcare facilities are facing stiff competition from other providers in the market, including hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers. Patients now have more choices than ever before, and they're increasingly seeking out providers that offer quality care, convenience, and affordability. This competition can make it challenging for healthcare facilities to attract and retain patients, particularly in remote areas where there are fewer options for care.

To overcome this challenge, healthcare facilities must focus on providing high-quality care that meets the needs of patients. They must also differentiate themselves from competitors by offering unique services or value propositions that set them apart from others in the market. Additionally, they can use technology and data to improve patient engagement and outcomes, such as offering telehealth and remote monitoring services.

Rising Costs

The cost of healthcare delivery has been on the rise, and healthcare facilities are feeling the pinch. Staffing, equipment, and technology are all costly, and healthcare facilities must find ways to manage these costs effectively. However, cutting costs can lead to reduced quality of care and patient outcomes, so cost effectiveness must be a priority.

To overcome rising costs, healthcare facilities can explore new revenue streams, such as partnering with other providers or offering new services. They can also leverage technology to streamline operations and reduce costs, such as using electronic health records (EHRs) and automated scheduling systems.

Regulatory Pressures

Healthcare facilities in the physical medicine field are subject to numerous regulations and compliance requirements. However, these regulations can sometimes detract from the focus on providing quality care and, in turn, impact revenue generation and patient outcomes.

Let's take a closer look at some statistics and examples that illustrate the challenges facing healthcare facilities today.

Firstly, healthcare spending in the US reached a staggering $3.8 trillion in 2019, accounting for 17.7% of the country's GDP, according to the American Hospital Association. These rising costs can put a strain on healthcare facilities, particularly those with limited resources. To manage costs effectively, healthcare facilities must find ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness, such as leveraging technology and data to streamline operations and reduce waste.

Secondly, patient demand for convenient and affordable care is on the rise, according to a study by the Advisory Board. This demand is driving the growth of telehealth and home-based care, which offer patients greater access to care from the comfort of their homes. To meet this demand, healthcare facilities must adapt their services to provide more flexible and accessible care options that meet the needs of patients.

Lastly, healthcare regulations continue to evolve, and healthcare facilities must keep up with these changes to remain compliant. For example, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced various changes to healthcare delivery and reimbursement, affecting revenue generation for healthcare facilities. To remain compliant with these regulations, healthcare facilities must stay up-to-date on the latest compliance requirements and leverage technology and data to track and manage compliance metrics effectively.

Maximizing revenue and improving patient outcomes are two crucial goals for healthcare facilities

While generating revenue is necessary for healthcare facilities to cover expenses and remain financially stable, delivering high-quality care to patients is equally important.

To achieve these dual objectives, healthcare facilities must strike a balance between revenue generation and patient care. By focusing on revenue generation, healthcare facilities can invest in their services, hire qualified healthcare professionals, and acquire state-of-the-art equipment and technology. However, revenue generation should not come at the expense of patient care. Healthcare facilities must prioritize patient outcomes, delivering high-quality care that meets the unique needs of each patient.

Improving patient outcomes is critical to the success of a healthcare facility. Patients who receive positive outcomes are more likely to recommend the facility to others, increasing the patient base and driving revenue growth. Moreover, positive outcomes reflect the quality of care provided by a healthcare facility, enhancing its reputation and making it more attractive to patients.

To ensure that revenue generation and patient outcomes are aligned, healthcare facilities must leverage technology and data. By using analytics and performance metrics, healthcare facilities can track revenue generation, patient outcomes, and overall performance. This information can be used to make data-driven decisions that balance revenue generation and patient care.

How VAST.Rehab's Home Therapy Can Help Facilities Achieve These Goals?

Home therapy has become an increasingly popular option for patients looking to continue their rehabilitation journey outside of the hospital. This approach not only increases the likelihood of achieving optimal outcomes but also reduces the risk of readmission. Healthcare facilities, therefore, must focus on providing effective and efficient home therapy solutions that cater to the unique needs of their patients. While inpatient rehabilitation is generally effective and efficient, extending it with home rehabilitation can provide additional benefits.

VAST.Rehab, a leading provider of rehabilitation solutions, has developed an innovative home therapy program that helps healthcare facilities achieve their dual mission of generating revenue and improving patient outcomes. By providing patients with access to user-friendly physical and occupational therapy tools and resources, VAST.Rehab's home therapy program enables healthcare facilities to differentiate themselves in the market and attract new patients.

VAST.Rehab's virtual reality therapy services are designed to provide patients with an immersive and engaging rehabilitation experience. This approach can help healthcare facilities generate more revenue, as patients are willing to pay for services that offer effective care outside of the facility. Moreover, home therapy can help facilities reduce readmission rates, which can be costly.

By leveraging VAST.Rehab's home therapy program, healthcare facilities can reduce the cost of care delivery while improving patient quality of life. The program's advanced technology and personalized approach to therapy ensure that patients receive the best possible care, leading to positive patient outcomes and improved facility reputation.

The Home Therapy starts at the Facility

Usually, the process typically begins with one-on-one sessions with a therapist in a healthcare facility. During these sessions, patients are introduced to the technology and tools they will use during their home therapy.

The therapist will work with the patient to develop a personalized treatment plan, taking into account the patient's medical history and individual needs. This plan will include specific exercises and activities that the patient will perform at home, as well as guidance on how to use any equipment or technology needed for their therapy.

As the patient progresses through their home therapy, the therapist will continue to monitor their progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. This ongoing support helps ensure that patients stay on track with their rehabilitation goals and achieve the best possible outcomes.

What exactly is VAST.Rehab's Home Therapy?

Home therapy is a type of health care delivery that can take place in the patient's home or other non-clinical setting. VAST.Rehab's home therapy services utilize virtual reality to provide patients with high-quality cognitive and physical rehabilitation from the comfort of their own homes. This innovative platform is designed to be user-friendly and customizable, with a range of features that make it an effective tool for both physical and occupational therapy.

Customized Exercise Programs

One of the key features of this approach to physical therapy is its customized exercise programs. These programs are based on the patient's individual needs and goals, and can be adjusted as the patient progresses. By using gamified tasks, VAST.Rehab's platform makes therapy more engaging and effective, allowing patients to enjoy the rehabilitation process while improving their physical and cognitive abilities. For example, therapists can create sessions that focus on exercises to target specific muscle groups, which can help patients recover from injuries, improve their range of motion and more.

It offers endless possibilities for creative health care providers to set therapy goals for their patients. For example, for patients with knee pain, therapists can use the system to build sessions that focus on exercises that target the specific muscle groups surrounding the knee joint. By tracking progress and adjusting the exercises accordingly, patients can see improvements in their pain levels and range of motion. Similarly, for stroke care, therapists can create sessions that focus on improving mobility, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive skills.

Remote Monitoring

The platform also includes remote monitoring features, which allow physical therapists (or occupational therapists) to do systematic review by tracking the patient's progress and adjust their therapy plan accordingly. This can help healthcare facilities provide more personalized care and improve patient outcomes.

Telerehabilitation Services

VAST.Rehab's tele rehabilitation features are based on information and communication technologies that allow patients to receive therapy sessions remotely. This can be particularly useful for patients who live far away from their healthcare facility or have mobility issues that make in-person therapy challenging.

The Benefits of VAST.Rehab's Therapy Services

Healthcare facilities are always looking for ways to improve patient outcomes and generate more revenue. VAST.Rehab's home therapy services provide a solution to both of these challenges.

Increased Revenue

By offering home therapy services, healthcare facilities can expand their reach and provide care to a larger patient population. This can lead to increased revenue and profitability, as well as improved patient satisfaction and loyalty. By purchasing a package of home therapy time, the facility can resell the time to their patients at a markup, providing an additional revenue stream. This also allows the facility to expand their reach beyond their physical location, potentially attracting patients from a wider geographical area.

Technically, offering home therapy is straightforward, and there is no need for additional equipment or software. The facility can simply buy a package of home therapy time and allocate it to patients as needed. The therapist then schedules the physical therapy sessions and analyzes the results remotely, providing feedback and support to the patient as required.

From a business perspective, home therapy services can be compared to subscription-based services like Netflix. Patients need to prepay for the service, and once the service is active, the clock starts ticking, regardless of whether the patient performs the prescribed workout or not. However, it is beneficial for both the therapy taker and the therapist to ensure that the prescribed workouts are completed, as this is essential for achieving the desired rehabilitation outcomes.

In fact, according to a study by the American Hospital Association, home health services generated over $100 billion in revenue in 2020.

Improved Patient Outcomes

Home therapy can also lead to improved outcomes, as it allows patients to receive care in a more comfortable and familiar environment. This can help reduce anxiety and stress, leading to better compliance with therapy regimens and improved outcomes. Additionally, remote monitoring features of VAST.Rehab's home therapy platform can help healthcare professionals track patient progress and adjust treatment plans as needed, leading to more personalized and effective care.

Reduced Costs

Home therapy can also help reduce costs for healthcare facilities, as it can be less expensive than traditional in-facility therapy. For example, a study by the University of Southern California found that home health care services can reduce healthcare costs by up to 30%. Additionally, by reducing the need for in-facility therapy, home therapy can help free up resources and staff time, allowing healthcare facilities to focus on other areas of patient care.

VAST.Rehab's therapy services offer several benefits for healthcare facilities, including increased revenue, improved outcomes, and reduced costs. By providing personalized and convenient care in the patient's own home, healthcare facilities can improve patient satisfaction and loyalty while generating more revenue and freeing up resources for other areas of patient care.

Therapy without Time Constraints

One of the significant benefits of using home rehabilitation services is that it allows patients to continue their rehabilitation journey on their own schedule. There is no requirement for the physical therapists and patients to be in front of their computers at the same time. The therapist can schedule the therapy sessions for the patient, and the patient can perform them at their convenience.

Kind of CRM System for Therapists

Offering home therapy through the VAST.Rehab system provides the physical or occupational therapists with an efficient and effective way to manage their patients' rehabilitation progress. By using the system as a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool, the therapist can monitor each patient's progress in real-time and receive automatic alerts if a patient fails to perform their prescribed session. This allows the therapist to proactively reach out to the patient to identify any issues or challenges they may be facing and provide support as required.

Identifying Potential Issues

Furthermore, the systematic reviews of the results generated from the home therapy sessions can help the therapist to identify areas where additional treatment may be required. For example, if a patient is making slower than expected progress, the therapist may suggest a visit to the facility to perform additional examinations or other procedures. This proactive approach can help to prevent potential setbacks and ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

How to Implement VAST.Rehab's Home Therapy in Your Facility

Implementing home therapy services through VAST.Rehab in healthcare facilities is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get started

Step 1: Set Your Goals and Objectives

The first step in implementing VAST.Rehab's home therapy platform is to identify your healthcare facility's goals and objectives. Determine the population you'll be serving, the physical and occupational therapy programs you'll offer, and your expected outcomes.

Step 2: Train Your Physical Therapists

Training staff members who will use the VAST.Rehab platform is critical. This includes learning how to use the platform, monitor patients remotely, prescribe correct therapeutic exercise, and modify therapy programs as needed.

The Therapist's Guide is an excellent resource for physical and occupational therapists who want to familiarize themselves with the VAST.Rehab therapy services. It provides detailed information on how to use the system and its various features to optimize patient outcomes.

Step 3: Develop Customized Physical and Occupational Therapy Programs

VAST.Rehab's can deliver rehabilitation services that allow physical or occupational therapist to develop customized therapy programs based on the patient's condition and therapeutic interventions they need. This includes exercises, stretches, and other therapeutic activities that can be completed in the patient's home.

Step 4: Use Remote Monitoring and Telerehabilitation Services

The VAST.Rehab therapy services include remote monitoring and telerehabilitation features that allow physical or occupational therapist to track patient progress and provide feedback in real-time. This can help to identify potential issues and adjust therapy programs as needed.

A Closer Look at the Workflow

There isn't much that the physical or occupational therapist needs to do, making the situation even simpler from the patient's perspective.

Installing VAST.Rehab at Home

To begin the rehabilitation at home process, the therapist assigns a login and password to the patient's account and provides all necessary details via email or printed materials. Patients can then install the same software they used at the healthcare facility on their home computer, Android tablet, or iPad, so the service delivery model can't be easier.

Starting the Workout Session at Home

Upon logging into the system, the patient is presented with a big button to start their prescribed workout session. The session typically uses the webcam and body tracking sensors to ensure proper form and technique. The system tracks the patient's progress during each session, and the data is automatically uploaded to the cloud for the therapist to review and analyze.

Analyzing and Updating Physical Therapy Sessions

Moreover, the system provides the therapist with progress updates after each session, which enables them to adjust the rehabilitation program as needed. Based on the patient's progress, the therapist can modify the program to help the patient achieve their rehabilitation goals more efficiently.

Common Concerns and Questions

Integrating new technologies into an existing healthcare system can be a challenging process, and it's natural to have concerns and questions. Here are some common concerns and questions related to implementing VAST.Rehab's home therapy platform, along with answers to help address them:

Will staff need additional training to use the platform?

Yes, staff members who will be using the platform will need training on how to use the platform, monitor patients remotely, prescribe therapeutic exercise, and modify therapy programs as needed. Our team can provide training materials and support to ensure your staff is well-prepared to use the platform effectively.

How will data be secured?

VAST.Rehab's home therapy platform is designed with privacy and security in mind. The platform uses industry-standard encryption and security protocols to protect patient data. Additionally, our team can work with your facility to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

Addressing common concerns and questions can help ensure a successful implementation and adoption of VAST.Rehab's home therapy platform. Our team is always available to answer any additional questions and provide support throughout the implementation process.

The future work

As a dynamic healthcare platform, VAST.Rehab is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care through ongoing development and innovation. With a focus on incorporating the latest research and technology, VAST.Rehab is committed to providing the highest quality rehabilitation services possible.

In the future, VAST.Rehab plans to expand its offerings in speech therapy and cardiac rehabilitation, as well as conduct further research to continuously improve therapy outcomes. By continually evolving and improving its services, VAST.Rehab is poised to remain at the forefront of healthcare innovation for years to come.

Conclusion

Overall, offering home therapy through the VAST.Rehab system not only provides patients with greater flexibility and convenience but also allows therapists to effectively manage their patients' rehabilitation progress. By using the system as a CRM tool, therapists can proactively monitor their patients' progress, use it for goal setting, identify potential issues, and provide the necessary support to help patients achieve their physical therapy goals.