SPRING 2022
Quicker Access to Hospice Services in Southeast Kentucky with USDA Telemedicine Grant Bluegrass Care Navigators is dedicated to providing seriously ill
Patients identified through our Telecare program will
care that all our patients receive. However, there are often
patient monitoring equipment that can be used to
patients in southeast Kentucky with the expert, compassionate
challenges in this region that slow access to patients, such as the mountainous terrain that can make response time greater for patients living in remote areas due to extensive travel time. In January 2022, Bluegrass Care Navigators began implementing new
be equipped with tablets in their home, along with assist in examination and monitoring of symptoms. Using these videoconference tools, our expertly trained hospice care teams will have enhanced connection with more than 400 patients and their families each day, enabling them to interact and
Telecare services within 16 counties located in southeast Kentucky that
communicate remotely, and will result in quicker
will help to minimize these challenges. Thanks to the support from a
access to care for our patients. These new tools will
USDA Telemedicine grant, this program will facilitate quicker access to
assist the care team in providing assessment and
our healthcare services for seriously ill patients, and when needed, will
treatment leading up to the clinical team members’
assist these patients and our providers in meeting virtually between
arrival in the home.
in-person visits. Monica Couch, Vice President and Chief Hospice Officer notes that, “Each day Bluegrass Care Navigators delivers hospice services to well
“Residents in these 16 counties will see tremendous benefits by having greater access to our healthcare services,” Monica added. “This technology will
over 400 patients in this region. By far, most of our hospice patients are
provide patients with quicker coordination and
served in their homes throughout a 16-county area. Our clinicians who
delivery of care because they will have more timely
serve patients in southeast Kentucky encounter a variety of obstacles
access to physicians and clinical staff, while still
that will be mitigated with the implementation of this robust Telecare
maintaining all of the in-person visits that they
program supported by the USDA.”
currently receive.”