VA launches telehealth pods for patients in remote areas

Department of Veterans Affairs is rolling out the use of private enclosure rooms, called pods, which veterans can use to conduct telehealth appointments, according to a Nov. 11 news release.

To design and build the telehealth pods, VA partnered with Philips. The pods are equipped with telehealth technology that allows veterans to consult with their VA clinicians in a space closer to home as opposed to traveling to the nearest VA facility, which could be hours away. Some of the technology in the pods include WiFi-enabled electronic scales, blood pressure cuffs and thermometers.

The telehealth program, called Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations, is the result of a partnership between VA, Philips, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. The telehealth pods will be located at various VFW and Legion posts.

Philips also partnered with Caregility, a clinical communication platform, on the telehealth pods. HIPAA-trained attendants will also help manage the pods, according to the release.

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