Innovation in Healthcare: USACS’ Top Telemedicine Solutions
Over the past several years, telemedicine has become increasingly popular, revolutionizing healthcare delivery in the digital age. As the demand for rapid and remote access grows, these technologies are filling critical gaps in the system—from on-demand direct care to augmented care with clinician-to-clinician interactions.
At USACS, we are at the forefront of this transformation, dedicated to creating patient-centered solutions for modern challenges. Working closely with our hospital system partners, we have constructed a continuum of telemedicine options, available from the patient’s home to 90 days post-discharge. Central to these efforts are Chief of Clinical Innovation, Jesse Pines, MD, MBA, MSCE, and Director of Telemedicine, Brian Aldred, MD, who join us to discuss our most impactful developments.
As Dr. Pines shares, “Telemedicine is at the core of our mission to provide high-quality care. With these tools, we can optimize accessibility, affordability, and productivity, from pre-hospital to hospital and post-hospital recovery. We have implemented a wide range of services, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet today, we focus on three primary initiatives: tele-urgent care, tele-psychiatry, and what we call ‘tele-efficiency’ programs.”
Tele-urgent care is designed to enhance access to medical services for patients at home with minor illnesses, treating them without the need for an in-person visit. It also helps patients who may not know whether they need to be seen in an emergency care facility. In these cases, clinicians can identify serious conditions and give advice on where to seek treatment. To achieve this, we have established virtual urgent care centers staffed by local USACS emergency physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs). Rural areas stand to benefit significantly, as our teams use video conferencing platforms to overcome the barrier of distance. From urinary tract infections to minor sprains and strains, they offer connected care to diagnose and treat diverse conditions.
“A prime example of this is our Colorado-based tele-urgent care program, formed with Centura Health,” says Dr. Aldred. “Since its launch in 2022, we have seen growth in volume, currently averaging nearly 30 patients per day. In addition to immediate care, the program has proven to be an effective navigation tool. Our clinicians have the local knowledge to direct patients to an emergency department (ED) or specialist, when necessary, which fosters patient loyalty and keeps them within our ecosystem.”
Building on this navigation framework, we have rolled out a series of impactful efficiency programs. These programs leverage remote telemedicine clinicians to reduce on-site staffing needs in the appropriate settings. The first is tele-observation, which enables clinicians to virtually monitor ED Observation patients. Next, we have tele-hospitalists, who deliver off-site assistance for admitted patients. Finally, tele-ICU allows intensivists to give remote guidance for critically ill patients. These approaches all serve to minimize staffing costs, while extending clinicians’ expertise across multiple sites and patients.
Dr. Pines adds, “Our efficiency programs can be deployed individually or in tandem based on the demands of our facilities. For instance, in collaboration with Ascension Seton, we started tele-observation at 3 hospitals in Austin, Texas. In 2024, we expanded to introduce overnight tele-hospitalist coverage at 2 smaller hospitals throughout Texas and tele-ICU at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a result, we have strengthened access to inpatient care closer to home and decreased the need for transfer.”
Beyond these programs, telemedicine presents valuable opportunities for specialized interventions. This brings us to our final focus on tele-psychiatry. Through early treatment and talk therapy, tele-psychiatry aims to stabilize behavioral health crises and facilitate the safe discharge of patients. Partnering with Array Behavioral Care, we ensure patients receive prompt psychiatric evaluations and ongoing sessions with behavioral health counselors. This method addresses a vital need, equipping our hospitals with the resources to expedite care and de-escalate crises. We do not stop with the intake but instead prioritize long-term care plans.
“We have worked with Array to set up tele-psychiatry programs at several sites, including Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, and University of Maryland’s Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, Maryland,” states Dr. Aldred. “Array programs have led to a reduction in the time to psychiatry evaluation and ED length of stay, as well as an improved selection of patients who require admission.”
These services are just a glimpse of our comprehensive offerings. We have also developed programs to provide tele-triage, tele-follow-up, tele-specialist, and tele-EMS. This breadth of options to our partner hospitals is a standout in the industry. The future only looks brighter as we remain focused on elevating care—connecting patients and clinicians with the right team at the right time.
To learn more, check out our case studies here.