Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects nearly 20 million Americans. An estimated 200,000 receiving PAD-related amputations every year, according to the Cardiovascular Coalition (CVC). CarePICS is a partner in the fight against PAD. We’re here to provide critical patient data, technology support and streamlined communication in a secure platform. With our virtual hub, providers can improve patient outcomes — and reduce unnecessary amputations.
CarePICS Enhances Providers’ Abilities to Treat PAD
CarePICS is the first virtual care platform for managing PAD, critical limb ischemia (CLI) and wound care patients. Providers can use the vascular and wound care solution with their patients in the office or wherever the patient is via telehealth. This helps create a comprehensive healthcare strategy that helps prevent amputations by improving communication.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) can stay connected with patients via telehealth and with compliant text and images to help follow patient progress.
Podiatrists can collaborate with PCPs and other providers to help consolidate complex patient care coordination.
Vascular specialists can triage high-risk PAD and CLI patients, pre-referral or pre-procedure, track post-procedure wound-healing progress, and maintain ongoing relationships with both patients and the physician network.
Patients benefit because they can directly contact their provider. If their condition is acute, the vascular specialist can understand the patient problem before they see the patient so they can prioritize needed care.
Our mission is to be the connective tissue between providers caring for vascular patients and patients with wounds. CarePICS’ telehealth capabilities facilitate timely, comprehensive care for patients. They don’t have to make long, costly commutes or risk exposure to potential pathogens. And providers gain a powerful clinical coordination network that streamlines communication and automates next steps ― all within a HIPAA-compliant platform.
Providers find the CarePICS technology easy to adapt to and appreciate our secure, streamlined communication. With our mobile and web app, you get the patient data you need to more collaborate and more efficiently run your practice.
For More Information
Join CarePICS and the CardioVascular Coalition in recognizing PAD Awareness Month. Visit the CarePICS website for more information about the virtual hub. We’re here to partner with providers with a solution to better manage patients and improve clinical outcomes.
About CarePICS
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting, and automated medical supply ordering.
The PULSE Amputation Prevention Center, a multidisciplinary limb salvage program based in El Paso, Texas, recently adopted a new critical wound care tool — CarePICS.
“PULSE is committed to preventing amputations and saving lives,” says Lorie Henderson, PULSE’s administrator and clinical director. “CarePICS was the missing puzzle piece we needed to complete our full circle of care.”
Henderson wants to spread the word about CarePICS. The vascular and wound care solution optimized the program’s ability to treat wound care patients.
Dedicated to Amputation Prevention
PULSE focuses on awareness, treatment, identification and intervention for critical limb ischemia (CLI), peripheral artery disease (PAD) and advanced wound patients. PULSE’s goal is to provide comprehensive evaluations and treatment of complex wounds and vascular intervention by a holistic team of experts.
Because the Amputation Prevention Center is housed in two separate buildings, the program especially needed a centralized hub to strengthen continuity of care.
PULSE learned about CarePICS through Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI), a medical device company that develops revascularization solutions for patients. As Henderson explains, “I realized almost immediately that this is huge. CarePICS is so much more than a wound care app.”
How CarePICS Streamlines Processes and Provides a Centralized Hub
CarePICS creates connections not just between the primary care physicians (PCPs) who refer patients to PULSE but between the Amputation Prevention Center’s vascular and wound care staff. The virtual care platform is especially valuable for Henderson, who is a CLI navigator — connecting all disciplines and guiding the patient journey through various levels of care.
“From our first interaction with a patient, we gain immediate access to electronic medical records (EMRs) provided by their PCPs,” says Henderson. “Our physicians can then capture and upload images consistently and accurately with minimal data entry. Specialists access the data in real-time without running back and forth between buildings. They can reach out to consultants for advice and second opinions. And they can report all of their documentation, findings and recommendations into a secure server.”
CarePICS breaks down bottlenecks and improves workflows, marking cases as urgent when needed and alerting colleagues to next steps such as referrals or surgery. The virtual care platform guides the entire high-tech care team through the patient healing process.
Evolving Technology and Collaboration to Fit Clinician Needs
CarePICS understands PULSE as a clinical and operational partner, working together as part of a pilot for the multidisciplinary model. “CarePICS is a perfect fit for our multi-modal care model that has proved so successful. They’ve been receptive and fluid supporting with us and the technology evolves to fit our needs,” says Henderson.
Henderson and her team started off with the general specs for CarePICS and provided feedback and insight. CarePICS was quick to respond with modifications and enhanced functionalities. Healthcare professionals can now quickly add patients, take and drop in images, and more.
PULSE hopes to develop a vascular component moving forward and incorporate perfusion imaging to identify at-risk tissue. “It’s fresh and exciting!” says Henderson. “We’re working on a practice model. We also hope to use CarePICS for more forms of medical imaging in general. We see many possibilities for utilizing CarePICS well into the future!”
For More Information
Change can invigorate a practice – and transition difficulties alleviated through strong partnerships. Visit the CarePICS website to find out how your healthcare organization can utilize a robust hub of coordination for wound care and vascular patients.
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting, and automated medical supply ordering.
At CarePICS, we’re proud to be part of the CLI movement. A movement that saves limbs and lives. The Amputation Prevention Symposium (AMP) 2021 offers experts in the field the opportunity to gain knowledge about the latest advancements and trends in revascularization.
AMP 2021 is August 11–14 in Orlando, Fla, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. We invite attendees to visit our CarePICS team at Booth 212 or virtually to learn more about how our virtual hub can help clinicians treat vascular and wound care patients.
AMP 2021 Leads the CLI Movement
AMP draws over 800 specialty fields, including interventional cardiologists, vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, wound care specialists and podiatrists. This comprehensive forum connects physicians with colleagues and the foremost thought leaders in CLI.
Founded in 2011, Dr. Jihad Mustapha and a team of multidisciplinary course directors will lead AMP 2021. Their goal – providing attendees with the insight and ability to apply multidisciplinary best practices to patients with advanced peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and CLI who are at risk for major amputations.
The mission to stop the growing public health crisis is becoming even more important every year. The in-person and virtual event continues the effort to help PAD and CLI patients, according to Dr. Mustapha.
CarePICS Believes in AMP
CarePICS helps keep you connected with patients to provide the best possible PAD, CLI and wound care outcomes. The virtual hub is the first technology-enabled care management tool specifically designed for the treatment of PAD patients.
We strongly support AMP as important leaders in the fight against CLI. We’ve joined in the fight to help with early intervention and ensure coordinated follow-up care that can prevent amputations.
“We’re proud to be a part of this four-day event that will help revolutionize the way care teams approach CLI and other conditions that can result in amputations,” says Dr. Chris Bromley, President of CarePICS. “We look forward to demonstrating our virtual care platform that helps supports patients and providers alike.”
For More Information
We are all in this together. Join us at AMP 2021 to network, learn and grow as care providers for CLI patients. #BetterTogether
Visit the CarePICS website to learn more about our efforts toward creating new, smart ways to manage PAD and CLI patients.
About CarePICS
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting, and automated medical supply ordering.
Ongoing medical appointments can wear down wound care, peripheral artery disease (PAD), and critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients over time. The result? Care fatigue.
Tests, measurements, stressful travel, paperwork, and the wait to be poked and prodded can be physically and mentally exhausting. Many patients may start skipping follow-up appointments because it simply feels easier.
CarePICS is the key to helping your patients overcome care fatigue. The virtual care platform provides a personalized care experience that lessens appointment anxiety for current wound care patients and helps reach new patients through a virtual clinician network.
Help Nurture Strong Patient Relationships
Ninety percent of patients would choose talking to their doctor via video chat over in-person visits, according to a study by the Journal of American Medical Informatics Association. Virtual and telehealth care were already preferable before the COVID-19 pandemic — now they’ve become a valuable component for patient retention.
CarePICS is a HIPAA-compliant clinical coordination tool that revolutionizes convenience and helps improve patient outcomes. Patients no longer feel worn down by the stresses of transportation and clinical settings. The option of in-home appointments saves money, avoids conflicts with everyday life and eliminates concerns about exposing an at-risk population to potential hazards.
CarePICS also simplifies a clinician’s ability to maintain ongoing relationships with patients. The healthcare technology platform:
Provides secure, direct communication with patients
Tracks wound-healing progress for quick feedback on wounds, pain and other issues
Enables direct ordering of wound care products to get patients their supplies sooner
How to Attract New Patients
Coordinating complex patient care between primary care physicians (PCP), specialists and care teams is made easier with the CarePICS mobile and web app. Podiatrists, vascular surgeons and skilled nurses can utilize text, image and video sharing for better outcomes. This enhanced, effective communication strengthens clinical partnerships and increases the likelihood of referrals.
Providing access to patients who are local, an hour away and even across the country is another benefit of the platform. CarePICS removes barriers and opens channels between patient and PCP and PCP and specialist. With the simple app, you can become a coordination hub for a high-tech patient care team.
For More Information
Keep patients satisfied and engaged by improving the outcomes and growing a professional network to support their healthcare journeys. Visit our website to learn more about the CarePICS virtual care platform.
About CarePICS
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting, and automated medical supply ordering
You’ve heard about the transformative power of telehealth frequently in the last year. Indeed, telemedicine has helped medical practices continue providing excellent healthcare for patients during the pandemic.
Keeping ongoing connections with wound care and vascular patients is especially critical. Ensuring successful wound care is why CarePICS developed their virtual care platform that brings patients and provider teams closer together.
CarePICS has built a culture of collaboration around their remote clinical imagery system. Their mission is to:
Build a virtual community of providers that collaborate to improve clinical outcomes, remove barriers to care and make a lasting impact on the patients we serve
Their passion for wound care, and how they envision the future makes CarePICS stand apart!
Distance is Not Your Friend in Healthcare
CarePICS CEO Paul Schubert founded Medical Treatment Systems in 1981 to develop medical device markets, focusing on wound care and patient safety. Paul’s team gained vast wound care experience and knowledge, including seeing the impracticality of nurses traveling long distances to help wound care patients.
“Distance is not your friend in healthcare,” he explains. “So, I went to our Chief Strategy Officer Terry Williams, who has an extensive background in developing medical devices. We talked about the need for a technology that bridged the gap between doctors, patients and skilled nursing — and CarePICS was born.”
“All of us at CarePICS believe we have a calling,” says Schubert. “Our team members have always worked to deliver medical devices to clinicians and enable better treatment possibilities for their patients. Our new virtual care platform is the culmination of that work.”
The CarePICS Difference
CarePICS differentiates itself by providing solutions that better connect patients and healthcare providers. Their innovative platform helps clinicians reach patients everywhere, streamline inefficiencies, reduce costs and improve patient satisfaction.
CarePICS is the only networking software that focuses on peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and chronic wounds.
“Simply put, we believe that by increasing collaboration between healthcare providers we can help keep more feet attached to more legs,” says Schubert. “Many of the patients helped by CarePICS would have needed amputations if they hadn’t been identified sooner. Every single CarePICS employee is proud of the difference they’ve made in patients’ lives. Every team member is a patient advocate.”
What’s Next for CarePICS?
It’s an exciting time for CarePICS. Minnesota-based Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI) recently invested in the platform. “Our partnership with CSI is the perfect opportunity to broaden our network of vascular and interventional specialists,” says Schubert.
Over the next two years, the CarePICS team is focused on setting up networks that concentrate on the lower limbs, and providing support to podiatrists and wound care clinics. The priority is creating channels that make the patient experience less expensive and less invasive, while lowering morbidity.
“We also want to facilitate getting patients to a vascular expert sooner,” says Schubert. “In some areas of the country over 40 percent of patients that have amputations have never had a vascular consult. This has only been exacerbated by COVID-19 quarantines. We believe our medical communities can lower that number using our enhanced specialized communication tools.”
For More Information
CarePICS provides an advantage for clinicians in the wound care space. We’ve developed our user-friendly, HIPAA-compliant mobile and web app from decades of experience and knowledge with a core value system built around advocating for wound care and vascular patients.
Visit our website to see our drive for evolving healthcare best practices and succeeding in our commitment to meeting the needs of healthcare providers and patients.
About CarePICS
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting, and automated medical supply ordering.
What’s the best way to communicate with patients? The traditional method of confirming and following up on appointments used to be via a phone call. In 2021, patients — from all ages and demographics — prefer text messaging. CarePICS is the innovative, seamless technology that streamlines communication for wound care clinicians.
The user-friendly patient mobile app includes a HIPAA-compliant, direct messaging component that allows patients to contact you or your staff without having to give out your cell phone number. This ensures your patients stay medically compliant and promotes loyalty to your practice.
CarePICS also sends patients a text message when you request a virtual consult of a specialist on their behalf and informs them that the specialist’s practice will reach out to them to schedule an appointment, if necessary.
Helping the Patient Feel in Control
Text messages are less anxiety-inducing than phone calls for patients. According to Adobe Blog, texts have a 98% open rate and 90% of texts are read within 3 seconds. Texting also restores a degree of control for people who might feel overwhelmed by demands to make decisions on the spot.
Convenience is key for Americans. At-risk populations like wound care patients rely on convenience for comprehensive care. Satisfying a patient’s healthcare expectations contributes to their comfort and builds loyalty.
In addition, you can also keep patients coming back for your services by establishing a personal rapport and sense of familiarity with them. Secure, direct messaging is a great leveler — its directness and immediacy enhance the patient’s sense that the doctor is providing them a one-on-one experience.
The CarePICS Advantage
“CarePICS provides timely, holistic care through secure, direct messaging, voice-to-text, and photo or video sharing capabilities,” says Paul E. Schubert, CEO of CarePICS. Primary care physicians (PCPs) can exchange HIPAA-compliant data with patients and care partners across networks through a cloud-based secure server.
High-risk peripheral arterial disease (PAD), critical limb ischemia (CLI) and wound care patients benefit greatly from this streamlining of pre-procedure steps, appointments and post-procedure monitoring of healing progress:
Easier check-in process by giving the patient a way to communicate directly with their multi-specialty care team
Better telehealth visits by sharing images and video of wounds in real-time
Simpler follow-up care as CarePICS provides an effective solution for tracking and documenting wound-healing progress that also encourages ongoing patient relationships
With CarePICS, doctors easily share data and pictures through texts to the entire team of providers. And according to Schubert, “Most importantly, PCPs can consult with specialists for suggested treatments and to refer patients when necessary. We all know that physicians are busy, so it’s easier to provide them information and imagery through texts.”
For More Information
Discover the CarePICS solution! See how our data-sharing system for managing vascular and wound care patients works for you. Visit our website to learn how you can improve patient care and efficiency through clear communication tools.
About CarePICS
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting, and automated medical supply ordering.
Implementing a new technology, software or mobile app into a healthcare environment can have challenges. Telemedicine is one digital healthcare tool that expanded dramatically this past year, but some practices may hesitate to embrace this new treatment model.
Remote clinical imaging systems have become essential tools for healthcare, especially wound care physicians. That’s why CarePICS created a change management primer to help you select and implement the right technology solution.
Barriers to Digital Healthcare Tool Execution
Why are so many attempts to implement digital change so frustrating? According to MITSloan Management Review, a survey of executives and managers in a wide range of industries says the pace of technology change in their organizations is too slow, mostly due to a lack of urgency.
The problem can be twofold in healthcare — a lack of understanding the technology itself and a staff’s ability to adopt. Many physicians experience these barriers to implementation:
Lack of ownership, planning and investment
Incomplete interdepartmental communication
IT issues and user error
Change fatigue brought on by a rapid pace or inconsistencies
5 Tips for Successful Technology Adoption
“An unfortunate myth is that doctors hate change,” says Dr. George Adams, Chief Medical Officer of CarePICS. “The truth is that they just want what’s best for their patients. Variations and inconsistencies might lead to patient harm.”
1. Determine the technology’s purpose and application
You want to avoid as much upheaval as possible. A new technology needs to seamlessly work within your team’s workflows.
Stakeholders and end users need to determine who will be using these digital tools and in what manner. “Avoid redundancies,” says Dr. Adams. “Trim the fat of any outdated practices and systems and establish what tasks, information and documentation benefit from the solution. The goal is to gain immediate benefits from streamlined and simplified processes.”
2. Find technology made by healthcare experts, for healthcare experts
You need sustainable technologies that are speedily implemented and easy to adopt. Healthcare technology must also be designed with security, privacy and the latest regulations in mind.
Seek out technology that has been made with insight from clinicians who have real-world experience and knowledge.
You also want to form a relationship with the technology vendor for after the sale is over. Training and IT support will be important for guaranteeing a smooth implementation.
3. Involve stakeholders in the vetting
Hospitals and physicians need staff buy-in if technological adoption is going to work. Include all potential end users on the care team in the initial vetting stages, including:
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs)
Nurses
Nurse practitioners
Specialists (such as podiatrists and vascular specialists)
This cross-functional group can evaluate degrees of comfort with the functionality, and how the technology can enhance patient care. User group enthusiasm is critical as they will have to utilize the technology or software on a daily basis. “They can also serve as advocates of the solution to other employees,” explains Dr. Adams.
4. Leadership support
Your user group can’t be the only champions of the new technology. You need a product champion – a designated internal leader who guide, mentor and support new users. With top-down support, you can avoid resistance, delays, employee dissatisfaction and, ultimately, loss of return on investment (ROI).
According to Dr. Adams, “Leaders can win hearts and minds by emphasizing how the new technology will have a positive impact on the staff’s workday. State your case clearly and demonstrate potential quick wins. You can also encourage adoption with rewards — but avoid penalties.”
5. Implementation vs. adoption — ensure your team is ready
You’ve made the decision. The system has been installed. You’ve downloaded the software. But while you may have hit your technology goal, implementation is not the same thing as adoption.
Morale is crucial. Everyone who uses the solution needs to be thoroughly trained. IT support should be readily available. And don’t be afraid to monitor and course correct. Feedback is key and involves everyone in the process. You win by making the new technology part of your company culture.
For More Information
“CarePICS understands the necessity of your clinical workflows and offers solutions that can easily standardize or simplify processes,” says Dr. Adams. “We partner with your organization to ensure a seamless integration of our remote clinical imagery system. We’ll train your staff and be there for you before and after you go live.”
Visit our website to find out how easily CarePICS can be integrated into your current workflows to increase efficiency, improve communication and reduce clerical work while treating patients with wounds and vascular disease.
About CarePICS
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting, and automated medical supply ordering.
New virtual healthcare technologies can improve personal patient-provider communication and care. However, some providers may hesitate at switching to a new technology platform and different methodologies. Maybe that’s because of change, maybe that’s because of protected health information (PHI) security.
With CarePICS, healthcare providers can do what they do best. Treat wound care, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients — trusting our platform architecture’s security and compliance.
Protect Your Practice from HIPAA Violations
We all understand that HIPAA violations can severely impact a practice. State attorneys generals can assess fines up to $25,000 per violation category, per calendar year. The HHS Office for Civil Rights can issue fines up to $1.5 million per violation category, per calendar year, according to the HIPAA Journal.
The CarePICS app takes less work, improves accuracy and secures documentation. “Our app is 60% more accurate in taking wound care measurements versus a ruler,” says Terry Williams, Chief Strategy Officer for CarePICS. “If any providers are taking phones with just their regular phone cameras, it’s easy to violate HIPAA violations by using unsecure WiFi channels in public places.”
CarePICS — Simple, Seamless and Secure
CarePICS is a mobile and web app that helps treat vascular and wound care patients. Clinical staff and providers can view wound images and measurement data in real-time or store and share reports within HIPAA compliance guidelines.
Sharing occurs using any Internet connection — cellular data, Wi-Fi or local network-based communications channels. All of the data in the system is encrypted in transit and then rests behind a secure firewall. It’s only accessible using email and password-based authentication.
“Any protected health information (PHI) captured during an appointment is encrypted,” says Williams. “The PHI is then stored in Amazon servers behind a secure firewall with multifactor token authentication. CarePICS promises that peace of mind so you can easily connect with all patient care team members. Increased collaboration results in even better care.”
Security and Compliance for the CarePICS App
HIPAA compliance
SOC2
FDA-Class 1
Data encrypted at rest (AES 256)
Data encrypted in transit (HTTPS TLS 1.2)
Application data is siloed within the app and screenshots are detected and logged for administrative oversight
Backend data is secured behind AWS firewall security
For more information
Providers and healthcare practices can trust that the CarePICS platform secures your PAD, CLI and wound care patients’ information. Visit our website to learn how you can manage patients with wounds and vascular disease by requesting a free trial.
About CarePICS
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting and automated medical supply ordering.
Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Announces Investment and Acquisition Option Agreement with Telehealth Company, CarePICS, LLC
St. Paul, Minn. – April 8, 2021 – Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI®) (NASDAQ: CSII) announced today that it has completed a minority investment and entered into an acquisition option agreement with CarePICS, LLC (CarePICS), a telehealth company offering a virtual care platform designed to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD), critical limb ischemia (CLI) and lower extremity wounds.
PAD is a progressive disease affecting at least 18 million Americans. Left untreated and poorly managed, PAD can lead to severe pain, immobility, non-healing wounds and amputation. CarePICS is the first technology-enabled care management tool specifically designed for the treatment of patients with this disease. CarePICS allows a multidisciplinary group of physicians to communicate with each other and patients throughout the care continuum. As a result, they reach more patients in need, promptly intervene when appropriate and provide coordinated follow up care to improve patient outcomes.
Through a secure iOS, Android and Web platform, CarePICS uniquely empowers podiatrists, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, wound care providers and primary care physicians to capture patient information, wound images and measurements. Leveraging this information, they can accelerate patient access to care by rapidly acquiring input from interventionalists through specialty telehealth consults before arterial or venous wounds begin to deteriorate. The platform’s features can also be utilized by physicians after vascular treatment to coordinate, follow and support wound healing progress.
Paul E. Schubert, Chief Executive Officer of CarePICS, said, “CarePICS is the connective tissue between collaborating physicians and their patients. Our platform provides effective multidisciplinary case management before and after vascular treatment. It produces a clear wound healing outcomes data set for all physicians involved throughout a patient’s care.”
Scott R. Ward, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSI, said, “As the leader in the treatment and study of patients with PAD and CLI, we are excited to announce our investment in a digital SaaS product and data driven solution designed to improve patient outcomes. We believe that CarePICS will accelerate patient access to the appropriate treatment at the right time, resulting in improved care and reduced amputations. Over time, the outcome data being gathered through the CarePICS platform across various providers, patients, treatments and care plans can become an industry-leading source of actionable, clinical insights and further improve patient care”
Terms of CSI’s minority investment in CarePICS, LLC were not disclosed. CSI has an exclusive option to acquire the remaining equity in CarePICS.
About CarePICS
Based in Raleigh, NC, CarePICS is a telehealth startup company focused on developing and commercializing an integrated software solution for PAD, CLI and Wound Care. The company was founded by wound care and medical technology veterans, Paul Schubert and Terry Williams. The company’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. George Adams, is an interventional cardiologist, and the company’s President, Dr. Chris Bromley, is a podiatrist. The company’s senior management team reflects the multidisciplinary clinical acumen required for achieving successful outcomes in wound care and amputation prevention and this domain expertise is reflected in CarePICS’s tailored telehealth products and features. For more information please contact at info@CarePICS.com or visit: www.CarePICS.com.
About Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., based in St. Paul, Minn., is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing innovative solutions for treating vascular and coronary disease. The company’s orbital atherectomy system treats calcified and fibrotic plaque in arterial vessels throughout the leg and heart and addresses many of the limitations associated with existing surgical, catheter and pharmacological treatment alternatives. For additional information, please visit www.csi360.com and connect on Twitter @csi360.
About Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
As many as 18 million Americans, most over age 65, suffer from PAD, which is caused by the accumulation of plaque in peripheral arteries reducing blood flow. Symptoms include leg pain when walking or at rest. Left untreated, PAD can lead to severe pain, immobility, non-healing wounds and eventually limb amputation. With risk factors such as diabetes and obesity on the rise, the prevalence of PAD is growing at double-digit rates.
Millions of patients with PAD may benefit from treatment with orbital atherectomy utilizing the Stealth 360® and Diamondback 360® Peripheral Orbital Atherectomy Systems, minimally invasive catheter systems developed and manufactured by CSI. These systems use a diamond-coated crown, attached to an orbiting shaft, which sands away plaque while preserving healthy vessel tissue — a critical factor in preventing reoccurrences. Balloon angioplasty and stents have significant shortcomings in treating hard, calcified lesions. Stents are prone to fractures and high recurrence rates, and treatment of hard, calcified lesions often leads to vessel damage and suboptimal results.
Safe Harbor
Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are provided under the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by that Act. For example, statements in this press release regarding (i) the benefits of the CarePICS technology, including its potential to accelerate patient access and result in improved care and reduced amputations; and (ii) the potential acquisition of CarePICS by CSI, are forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the ability of CarePICS to grow its network; satisfaction of acquisition conditions; technical challenges; regulatory developments; the experience of physicians regarding the effectiveness and reliability of products sold by CSI; the reluctance of physicians, hospitals and other organizations to accept new products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; general economic conditions; and other factors detailed from time to time in CSI’s SEC reports, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. CSI encourages you to consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this release. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, CSI’s actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. The forward-looking statements made in this release are made only as of the date of this release, and CSI undertakes no obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
CSI is a registered trademark of Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. All other trademarks cited herein are owned by their respective owners.
Contact:
Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Jack Nielsen Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications (651) 202-4919 j.nielsen@csi360.com
State and federal officials approved new telehealth policies and reimbursement codes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By adopting — and maintaining — telehealth programs for your patients who have peripheral artery disease, critical limb ischemia and who need wound care, you can grow your practice through technology and expand your patient base.
But how can medical practices use these new codes to capture telehealth earnings? CarePICS President Chris Bromley, DPM answers questions about how the CarePICS platform provides a significant return on investment (ROI) to podiatrists and other healthcare providers. He also explains how CarePICS meets reimbursement guidelines and provides PHI protection through Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance.
The ROI Benefits of CarePICS: A Q&A with Chris Bromley, DPM
1.How can my practice afford the CarePICS app?
Dr. Bromley: Providers pay for CarePICS via a software subscription. CarePICS provides custom packages for a variety of providers, including:
Podiatrists
Vascular specialists
Primary care physicians (PCPs)
Wound care clinics
Home health & skilled nurses
The 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, released November 1, 2018 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services unbundled four existing CPT codes and created two new CPT codes in the category of Interprofessional/Internet/Electronic Health Record Consultation (“ICC”).
CarePICS provides a way to perform charge capture for activities related to these new interprofessional consults and telehealth visits. CarePICS providers receive a report of all of these activities for practice management and processing purposes.
2.What are some other ways CarePICS can provide ROI?
Dr. Bromley: When using CarePICS, you become part of a network of other providers and practices.Podiatrists and other physicians can connect with PCPs who need wound care specialists. You’ll be able to increase referrals and streamline the process of receiving specialty consult requests. Each type of provider can realize additional revenue from telehealth visits and virtual consults while leveraging “charge capture” and the Services Incident to Care Model. Your subscription also includes your non-provider staff and patient support partners at no extra cost.
CarePICS’ smart ordering system also speeds up third-party supply orders and ensures accuracy and compliance. Documentation is automatically generated and is sent to providers to sign. Then it goes straight to a third-party distributor who sends it to your patient. CarePICS also documents changes in wound healing required for certain biological dressing reimbursement.
3. How is CarePICS HIPAA compliant?
Dr. Bromley: Risk mitigationis a key role in managing a successful medical practice.A single HIPAA violation could cost $10,000, and all because a provider has unsecured pictures on a cellphone.
Apple and Android security requirements are not the same as the United States government. A busy physician may use their phone to take pictures of a patient’s wound. Unfortunately, using the Wi-Fi at a local coffee shop could expose patient information. Your phone’s vulnerabilities put you at risk for lawsuits and loss of revenue.
All PHI used by CarePICS is encrypted at rest and in transit. Data is stored on Amazon web servers in the US. Your protected health information is safe with CarePICS
4. How does CarePICS improve the patient experience?
Dr. Bromley: CarePICS facilitates a safe environment to communicate in the pandemic and beyond.The time and travel cost savings of telehealth for non-emergency patient assessment increases your access and value to your patient.
Virtual visits keep patients — especially older patients — engaged. The elderly don’t have to wear themselves out getting to appointments or asking for rides. Younger patients are comfortable with technological advancements and won’t have to take time off work. The result is better care quality for patients and the ability to expand your practice without adding staff or to your office.
5. Are there any barriers to implementation of CarePICS? Dr. Bromley: Change is something we hate the most and need the most. Most practitioners know they need to expand their virtual patient outreach. The good news is CarePICS is here to guide you every step of the way. We provide virtual training for your staff and care partners
Though some might believe a telehealth solution will add to their workload CarePICS actually reduces your workload with automated workflows, streamlined processes, activity tracking and reports, and the ability to triage patients immediately.
Visit our website to learn more about our smart way to manage patients who have wounds while generating new revenue opportunities for medical practices.
About CarePICS
CarePICS® is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform designed to manage vascular disease and wound care patients. CarePICS enables virtual consults, telehealth visits, clinical image reporting, and automated medical supply ordering.
