Healthcare IT company Topaz Information Solutions has partnered with Scottsdale-based iTel Companies Inc., a telehealth company, to offer a seamless integration of telehealth services to its clients. Phoenix-based Topaz is a national provider of healthcare technology solutions, including electronic health records, practice management tools, population health and data analytics, and managed IT services.
“Topaz recognized a major need for a simple Web-based telehealth portal for clients to utilize based on market research and interfacing with clients and prospects at trade shows and conferences,” says Javier Favela, president and CEO of Topaz, noting the healthcare industry is shifting to serving patients wherever they are, particularly in rural communities and in the behavioral health industry. “The solution that Dr. Greenman, a practicing child psychiatrist, developed at iTel is the best on the market and offers a more complete and robust solution that complements the EHR and practice management software we offer.”
The two companies have been testing the integration for 18 months. Topaz custom-built a bidirectional API interface to integrate iTel’s telehealth solution with Topaz’s NextGen products. Says Favela, “We pulled a project team together that included a project manager, solution architect and developer to tackle the traditional interface development, and we are pursuing pilot testing with end users now.”
Telehealth also provides medical and behavioral health professionals with a new option for attracting and retaining clients — virtual appointments. iTel’s cloud-based technology allows patients to securely log in and check in to a virtual waiting room through the iTel portal. Both the medical professional and patient see each other through iTel’s video conferencing software, with the additional ability for physicians to screen share lab results, patient education and other materials. iTel’s mobile video apps are available for iOS® and Android™. iTel’s platform is HIPAA-compliant and runs on iTel’s Secure Cloud, which is HITRUST-certified.
