In the healthcare landscape of the United States, access to specialized medical services can be a critical challenge, especially in underserved areas. rtNOW, a telerespiratory company based in Michigan, has been at the forefront of addressing this issue. Founded in 2016 by respiratory therapists, rtNOW initially offered remote respiratory care services to a small, critical-access hospital.
However, in 2019, under the leadership of registered nurse Chuck Stadler Jr. of CORE Staffing and Vital Tech Solutions, rtNOW underwent a transformative merger, enabling it to expand its services across several states.
Since then, rtNOW has evolved into a nationwide company, providing innovative solutions in response to the national healthcare staffing crisis. Hospitals, healthcare facilities, and skilled nursing facilities can now have on-call virtual access to expert respiratory therapists. The American Association for Respiratory Care recognized rtNOW as a pioneer in telerespiratory care.
The Challenge
Urban hospitals and other medical facilities have an integrated network of medical professionals with availability to these staff around the clock and access to high-tech procedures and specialists. At the same time, rural hospitals have historically faced limited access to resources and specialty healthcare professionals. Often, there aren’t enough respiratory patients to justify full-time respiratory staff.
Non-respiratory personnel must take on some of those duties. However, their facilities often lack the medical equipment, protocols, and staff needed to deliver care. Nurses double as respiratory therapists, but they don’t have the specialized training to manage complex pulmonary conditions.
At the same time, the healthcare sector is experiencing a shortage of respiratory therapy professionals. This absence of medical professionals and resource limitations were the catalyst for rtNOW seeking a solution.
rtNOW recognized that healthcare facilities, especially rural hospitals, needed remote access to bedside respiratory care and support. However, to meet that challenge, rtNOW needed the right equipment to deliver services remotely.
Evaluation Process
Due to the nature of respiratory care, rtNOW needed medical carts with articulation. Respiratory therapists closely monitor both the machines and the patient, so on-site staff needed mobile medical carts that could easily turn from one area to another.
The medical carts also needed to be easy to assemble and use. In their capacity as a small organization, the rtNOW sales staff was unable to deliver equipment or store carts. They needed a supplier with drop shipping.
Selecting Medical Carts
After reviewing many suppliers, rtNOW chose Capsa Healthcare’s Tryten S1 Tablet Cart for respiratory therapy delivery. The fact that the Tryten S1 comes 90% assembled was a central factor in the decision.
rtNOW staff had previously spent hours putting stands together with great difficulty. The Tryten S1 Tablet Cart could be assembled in minutes, simplifying the process and increasing staff efficiency.
The sleek look and the articulating iPad arm were also deciding factors. rtNOW wanted a cart that would stand out from the other equipment. Nurses and medical staff work with many different bedside carts and equipment, so the telerespiratory cart needed to be easily identifiable and easy to use.
The weighted base and the whisper-quiet, non-marking, lockable wheels offer stability and increased mobility, which improves the ease of use for nurses and medical staff. The white finish also offers long-term product durability, enhancing service quality.
The tablet bracket and basket accessories were also attractive features. Staff could ensure secure iPad attachment and have an organized storage solution for medical supplies or medical instruments.
The Implementation Process
The solution was seamlessly implemented. RtNOW, which started as a small business, only purchases one or two stands at a time. The sales lead places an order and drop-ships it to the account executives. The account executives assemble the carts, attach the iPad, and deliver the solution to the client.
As the organization expanded, rtNOW introduced a White Glove Service for remote installation, enabling growth into states outside a drivable distance. Capsa’s simple assembly and drop shipping features enhanced this service, making it easy to quickly onboard new clients.
The Results
With the help of Capsa Healthcare’s medical cart, rtNOW saw a wide variety of benefits, including increased efficiency, cost savings, and protection from theft.
Enhanced Efficiency
Where previous stands took hours to assemble, the Tryten S1 Tablet Cart took under 30 minutes. That alone increased staff efficiency, resulting in significant time saved.
rtNOW also saw greater logistical efficiency with drop shipping. The team could curtail the time and money spent on delivery and assembly and have products shipped directly to the account executive or the client.
Cost Savings
The increased setup and logistical efficiency led to substantial cost savings. Staff spent less time on assembly, leaving more time to focus on the client. The convenience of drop shipping and no minimum order requirements made it easier to ship and deliver stands without the overhead of a loading dock, long assembly time, or substantial cash commitment on carts.
The carts securely hold the iPads, which avoids expensive loss from theft. rtNOW hasn’t experienced any theft or technology loss since integrating the tablet cart into the process, resulting in significant savings.
Overall Experience
rtNOW found the experience with Capsa Healthcare easy and accessible. They faced obstacles with other suppliers, such as minimum order requirements, but Capsa welcomed small orders and listened closely to feedback.
Capsa continuously implemented product improvements, displaying its commitment to quality and innovation. Implementation was easy and eliminated previous pain points in the rtNOW setup process.
Recommendation
rtNOW’s journey, from its inception as a small critical-access hospital service to its evolution into a nationwide company, demonstrates the critical need for remote respiratory therapy care in rural hospitals and healthcare facilities. The shortage of respiratory therapy professionals and resource limitations posed significant challenges, which rtNOW sought to address head-on.
rtNOW expanded its reach to underserved areas and addressed challenging medical needs. Implementing the Trtyen S1 adjustable Tablet Cart increased overall efficiency for rtNOW and facilitated secure access to essential telerespiratory care. Learn more about Capsa Healthcare’s custom carts for medical devices and telehealth services.