The Problem
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guthrie faced the critical challenge of protecting patients, providers, and staff while maintaining high standards of care. With 1.3 million outpatient visits annually across 5 hospitals, 32 regional clinics, and several skilled nursing facilities in New York and Pennsylvania, the non-profit needed to shift hundreds of providers to telehealth virtually overnight.
Before COVID-19, Guthrie had struggled to find an efficient telehealth solution. Most platforms lacked the ability to perform comprehensive physical exams remotely, limiting their utility. Existing tools either relied on nurses relaying information to remote providers or offered subpar equipment that hindered mobility and ease of use. Guthrie sought a plug-and-play telehealth solution that was easy to deploy, user-friendly, and capable of integrating seamlessly into its operations.
The Solution
The 3M™ Littmann® CORE Digital Stethoscope, paired with Eko's telehealth platform, offered Guthrie a comprehensive solution. With these tools, remote providers were able to listen to real-time heart and lung sounds during virtual visits, ensuring that patients received thorough exams from afar. This setup allowed Guthrie’s clinicians to detectcritical health issues like atrial fibrillation and fluid in the lungs, ensuring patients received timely intervention despite not being physically present.
"I'm really impressed with the quality of auscultation sounds. And my efficiency in virtual exams is as good as in-person visits."
Jagmeet Singh, MD
Chief of Nephrology and physician lead for telemedicine, Guthrie
Eko’s solution provided an intuitive and mobile-friendly platform, making it easy for providers to conduct exams remotely, and streamlining the transition into telehealth. Guthrie’s IT team quickly integrated Eko’s system, training 400 providers within just 10 days. Providers praised the quality of auscultation, mobility, and overall ease of use, enabling them to conduct virtual exams with the same confidence as in-person visits.
The Outcome
Five years after the height of the pandemic, Guthrie continues to use Eko’s telehealth solutions across its healthcare system. Eko’s digital stethoscopes remain an integral part of both inpatient and outpatient care, allowing specialists to evaluate patients remotely in nursing homes and clinics.
By using Eko’s telehealth tools, Guthrie ensured continuity of care without compromising patient safety. The success of Eko’s telehealth solution for Guthrie’s providers has demonstrated that it’s not just a temporary fix, but a valuable, long-term tool that continues to shape the future of patient care.