September 8, 2022 – With a new diagnostic tool that pairs with smartphones, Prisma Health patients can now send detailed medical information like heart or lung sounds or video of ears and throats to their doctors from the comfort of their own homes for virtual telemedicine visits.
Prisma Health is the first health system in South Carolina to offer TytoCare Medical Exam Kits, which include elements such as FDA-approved stethoscope and otoscope adaptors that patients can use at home to help collect data that their providers can use to make a virtual diagnosis. The capabilities of the tool are designed to closely mimic the physical exams performed during an office visit, giving patients high-quality comprehensive health assessments and care without leaving their home. Prisma Health launched the innovative program this week across its 21-county footprint after having successfully piloted it for the past two years.
The high-tech home exam kit includes a lightweight device and three attachments that collect a variety of data to assist with the virtual visit. Through a high-quality camera on the device, patients can capture and share clear, detailed images and video of ears, throat, and skin with their providers in real time. The stethoscope attachment collects sound waves to monitor the heart and lungs. TytoCare can also measure heart rate and body temperature.
Patients use the TytoCare app to connect the kit with a smartphone or tablet, so the user can securely send the information collected by the device to a Prisma Health provider through the MyChart platform. All data that is collected is encrypted, and the platform is HIPAA-compliant.
TytoCare can help healthcare providers diagnose and treat many common conditions such as:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Bug bites
- Cold and flu
- Constipation
- Ear Infections
- Fever
- Nausea
- Pinkeye
- Rashes
- Sore throats
- Upper respiratory infections