Health Cloud Archives - gettectonic.com
Dementia Care and Telemedicine

Dementia Care and Telemedicine

How 3 Health Systems Are Leveraging Telemedicine for Dementia Care Telemedicine is expanding access to dementia care, particularly for rural and elderly patients, though challenges like technology barriers and sustainability remain. Dementia—an umbrella term for cognitive and memory disorders—affects millions of Americans directly and indirectly. By 2060, nearly 1 million people in the U.S. are projected to develop dementia. While no cure exists, the growing prevalence underscores the need for accessible and effective care solutions. Telehealth has emerged as a critical tool in meeting this demand. The rapid adoption of virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic transformed dementia care delivery. A 2024 study found that telehealth use surged among dementia patients, particularly those with long travel distances to clinics and the oldest age groups. For health systems like the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), telemedicine has been a game-changer. “COVID-19 changed things almost overnight,” said Dr. Kim Tarver, associate professor of medicine and director of clinical services at UMMC’s MIND Center. “We have patients who travel three hours to see us. Being able to communicate without requiring a clinic visit every time is incredibly helpful.” UMMC is among several health systems integrating telehealth into dementia care, though challenges like technology access and financial sustainability persist. Telehealth’s Role in Dementia Care: Benefits and Applications Dementia care is uniquely suited for telehealth. Virtual visits allow for evaluations, treatment adjustments, and follow-ups while offering privacy and flexibility that in-person visits cannot. At UMMC, clinicians conduct cognitive assessments like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) remotely. A nurse guides patients through the test via screen-sharing, while caregivers assist with physical exam components when needed. “I’ll ask the caregiver to perform parts of the exam, like cerebellar function tests, while I observe via video,” Tarver explained. Though in-person visits are still used for verification, virtual assessments have proven comparably accurate. Telemedicine also enables family members to discuss concerns privately—especially valuable when patients are unaware of or resistant to acknowledging their condition. Extending Dementia Care Through Virtual Workforce Solutions Health systems are also using telehealth to expand their dementia care workforce. At the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), unlicensed but trained care navigators support families, handling routine assessments and triaging complex cases to specialists. “Navigators manage caseloads of families, consulting licensed experts only when needed,” said Dr. Katherine Possin, a neurology professor at UCSF. “This extends the reach of our limited dementia specialist workforce.” Similarly, Banner Health’s Dementia Care Partners program employs health coaches (Certified Nursing Assistants) to conduct initial assessments and provide ongoing support, reducing clinician workload. “If I train 30 people who each support 3,000 patients, the impact multiplies rapidly,” said Dr. Ganesh Gopalakrishna of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. Banner also uses Project ECHO, a telehealth-based training model, to educate community providers—from physicians to elder care attorneys—on dementia care best practices. Overcoming Telehealth Challenges in Dementia Care Despite its benefits, implementing telehealth in dementia care presents hurdles: The Future of Telehealth in Dementia Care Despite obstacles, providers see immense value in virtual dementia care—reducing caregiver burden, preventing unnecessary hospitalizations, and improving patients’ quality of life. “I hope telehealth becomes the standard of care,” Possin said. As health systems refine their approaches, telemedicine promises to play an increasingly vital role in dementia care—bridging gaps in access and delivering support to patients and families when they need it most. Tectonic can help you transform telehealth in your organization. Contact us today. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
AI-Driven Healthcare

The Future of Healthcare is Digital

Transforming Healthcare with Salesforce Health Cloud In our rapidly evolving healthcare world, digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s essential. Healthcare organizations must leverage innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes, streamline operations, and drive financial growth. Salesforce Health Cloud empowers providers, payers, and life sciences companies to deliver personalized, connected, and data-driven care. The Urgency of Digital Transformation in Healthcare Healthcare organizations face increasing pressure from regulatory requirements, patient expectations for seamless digital experiences, and operational inefficiencies. Traditional systems are often fragmented, making it difficult to provide a unified patient experience. Salesforce Health Cloud addresses these challenges by enhancing communication, centralizing data, and optimizing workflows. Key Benefits of Salesforce Health Cloud ✅ Enhanced Patient EngagementPatients expect convenience, transparency, and personalization. Health Cloud delivers seamless communication through patient portals, automated reminders, and AI-driven insights—leading to higher engagement and improved adherence to treatment plans. ✅ 360-Degree Patient ViewBy integrating data from electronic health records (EHRs), wearable devices, and other sources, Health Cloud provides a unified patient profile. This empowers providers and payers to make data-driven decisions that improve both clinical and business outcomes. ✅ Operational Efficiency & Cost ReductionHealth Cloud automates workflows, reduces redundancies, and improves productivity by integrating clinical, operational, and administrative processes. Real-time collaboration enhances care coordination across teams and organizations. ✅ AI-Powered Insights for Better Decision-MakingWith AI-driven analytics and predictive insights, healthcare organizations can identify at-risk populations, optimize resource allocation, and enhance population health management. Salesforce Einstein AI helps forecast trends and personalize care recommendations. ✅ Interoperability & Regulatory ComplianceNavigating complex healthcare regulations is easier with Health Cloud’s secure architecture, ensuring compliance while enabling seamless data exchange between systems and stakeholders. Why Healthcare Organizations Should Adopt Health Cloud Investing in digital transformation provides a competitive advantage by improving patient satisfaction, reducing operational costs, and driving better health outcomes. Salesforce Health Cloud enables organizations to future-proof their operations, boost revenue, and implement a seamless, value-based care model. Use Cases of Salesforce Health Cloud 🏥 Health Insurers – Improve member engagement, claims processing, and care management to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. 🏥 Hospitals & Health Systems – Streamline care coordination, minimize readmissions, and enhance patient experiences with personalized care plans. 🏥 Home Healthcare & Telemedicine – Enable remote patient monitoring and virtual care, improving accessibility while reducing hospital visits. 🏥 Life Sciences Companies – Accelerate drug development, streamline clinical trials, and enhance collaboration with providers and patients. The Future of Healthcare is Digital Salesforce Health Cloud is at the forefront of healthcare’s digital revolution. By leveraging AI, automation, and seamless integrations, healthcare leaders can improve patient experiences, drive operational efficiency, and ensure long-term success. Now is the time to embrace a data-driven approach to healthcare management. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
Empowering Patient Self-Service with Salesforce

Empowering Patient Self-Service with Salesforce

Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, particularly in self-service solutions. However, innovation alone isn’t enough—hospitals must navigate compliance, integration, and security challenges to implement practical solutions. Let’s explore how Salesforce streamlines patient self-service while addressing these complexities. The Evolution of Self-Service in Healthcare Think about the last time you used self-checkout at a grocery store or booked a flight without speaking to an agent. Self-service isn’t just an option anymore; it’s an expectation—especially through chatbots and AI-powered agents. Healthcare is no different. Patients want to schedule appointments, check lab results, and pay bills without making a phone call. Self-service is faster, more convenient, and gives patients control over their healthcare experience. The Challenge: Overcoming Barriers to Patient Self-Service Despite its advantages, many hospitals hesitate to implement self-service tools. The reason? Healthcare presents unique challenges that standard self-service platforms aren’t equipped to handle. Integration Roadblocks Patients seek answers to various questions: Why was I charged for this? What does my lab result mean? When is my next appointment? The information needed to answer these questions is scattered across electronic health records (EHRs), billing systems, and scheduling tools. Without seamless integration, self-service solutions either provide limited responses or inaccurate information—leading to frustration and potential health risks. Compliance Challenges Healthcare is one of the most tightly regulated industries, and self-service platforms handle sensitive data such as medical records and payment details. To be viable, they must meet stringent standards, including HIPAA compliance, data encryption, authentication protocols, and audit requirements. Many general self-service solutions fail to meet these regulatory requirements, making legal teams hesitant to adopt them. Safety Concerns AI-generated errors, or hallucinations, pose significant risks in healthcare. Unlike retail—where a mistake may result in an incorrect product recommendation—errors in healthcare can lead to misdiagnoses, incorrect medications, or improper treatments. Patients trust hospital-affiliated chatbots, and any misinformation can have serious consequences. Without proper safeguards, self-service tools in healthcare present a risk hospitals cannot afford to take. The Solution: Salesforce for Patient Self-Service Salesforce offers a connected suite of solutions that address integration, compliance, and safety concerns, making patient self-service a reality. The key components include Health Cloud, Experience Cloud, and Agentforce, which work together to create a seamless and secure patient experience. Health Cloud: The Integration Engine Health Cloud unifies data from EHRs, billing systems, and scheduling tools to create a single patient profile. This enables patients to access their medical history, prescriptions, lab results, and appointments through a single interface—eliminating data silos and improving accessibility. Experience Cloud: The Patient Portal Experience Cloud provides an authenticated hub where patients can schedule appointments, access records, and make payments. It integrates with Health Cloud to deliver a personalized experience based on a patient’s medical history and preferences. This enables proactive healthcare management, including appointment reminders and tailored educational content. Agentforce: AI-Powered Assistance with Human Oversight Agentforce enhances patient interactions by handling complex inquiries without requiring cumbersome menu navigation. Unlike traditional chatbots, Agentforce offers human oversight—support agents can step in during a conversation or escalate interactions via phone or email. With access to unified patient profiles, agents can provide personalized support based on a patient’s health history. The Results: A Better Patient Experience By leveraging Salesforce, hospitals can overcome self-service challenges while enhancing patient engagement. The benefits include: Patient self-service is no longer a futuristic vision—it’s a necessity. With Salesforce, hospitals can implement solutions that are not only possible but practical, ensuring compliance, security, and a superior patient experience. Content updated March 2025. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more

Read More
gettectonic.com