Abstract: Disclosed herein are unique systems and methods for remotely located physician specialists to diagnose and treat patients in a non-acute care facility having symptoms typically indicating a need for transfer to an acute care facility. The disclosed principles minimize the transfer of patients from a non-acute care facility to an acute care facility when not needed. The disclosed principles provide for the use of telemedicine units by geographically remote physician specialists to diagnose and treat patients in a non-acute care facility. If the physician specialist determines via the telemedicine unit that transfer of the patient to higher level of facility is needed, then the patient is transferred. If the physician specialist determines that the patient's new, elevated condition may be treated in the current, lower level facility, the physician specialist can prescribe a treatment for the current facility's staff to implement, even under the supervision of the physician specialist if it is needed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are unique systems and methods for remotely located physician specialists to diagnose and treat patients in a non-acute care facility having symptoms typically indicating a need for transfer to an acute care facility. The disclosed principles minimize the transfer of patients from a non-acute care facility to an acute care facility when not needed. The disclosed principles provide for the use of telemedicine units by geographically remote physician specialists to diagnose and treat patients in a non-acute care facility. If the physician specialist determines via the telemedicine unit that transfer of the patient to higher level of facility is needed, then the patient is transferred. If the physician specialist determines that the patient's new, elevated condition may be treated in the current, lower level facility, the physician specialist can prescribe a treatment for the current facility's staff to implement, even under the supervision of the physician specialist if it is needed.