Impact of after-hours telemedicine on hospitalizations in a skilled nursing facility

Skilled nursing facilities are increasingly being called upon to prevent avoidable hospitalizations. Primary care provider bedside assessment for change of condition in SNF patients is believed to improve care and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, but PCPs are not always available on site in an SNF. This study addresses the potential clinical and financial impacts of an after-hours physician coverage service enabled by technology, TripleCare, to prevent avoidable hospitalizations.