This series examines the UPMC Enterprises portfolio companies and technology solutions continuing to serve both patients and providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out previous entries here.
As hospitals across the country dedicate resources to the diagnosis and treatment of those infected with the coronavirus, telemedicine has become a vital resource for individuals seeking care, as well as providers seeking to deliver care, without putting themselves or others at risk.
Curavi Health, a UPMC Enterprises portfolio company and telemedicine services provider to long term care facilities, has adapted its approach during the outbreak to satisfy increased demand since shelter-in-place and social distancing measures were adopted nationwide in March. Curavi has experience historical demand for its services, implementing 28 facilities in 28 days. Due to restrictions on in-person visits to post-acute facilities, these implementations required the team to adapt their processes to become entirely virtual, including IT assembly and nurse training. Despite this, the company quickly responded to these many new client requests and was able to implement new facilities in as short as 2 days. This quick response allowed Curavi’s clients to maintain continuity of care via Curavi’s telemedicine platform, supporting a virtual connection between healthcare providers, many of whom use their own devices (tablets, smartphones, laptops) and residents in the facilities.
The growth in demand by new facilities was facilitated by a waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that temporarily broadens access and reimbursement for telehealth services during a public health emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic. Curavi met multiple clients’ needs during this time, including expanding current clients’ service hours to 24/7 and supporting new clients with their BYOP (Bring Your Own Provider) platform, enabling nursing home residents to continue to be seen by their attendings and specialists alike. The extended availability of services delivers round-the-clock consultations to facilities that need it, while the BYOP model allows facilities to train their own healthcare providers on how to use Curavi’s technology.
“Our main goal throughout the pandemic has been to ensure our clients’ communities and residents have access to the care they need when they need it,” said Alissa Meade, Curavi’s president and chief executive officer. “Virtual consultations are keeping our senior population safe while limiting risk of exposure and spread of the coronavirus.”
