Store and forward, also known as ‘asynchronous care’, involves acquiring, storing and sharing clinical information, including data, images, sound and video, between clinicians.
Store and forward allows clinicians to review consumer information and make clinical decisions to support the management and care of that person. It also supports access to specialist providers and services, allowing coordination and management of referrals.
It is often used for non-urgent care; however, with technology advancements, imaging can now be available in minutes, providing opportunities for the consumer to access time-critical specialist advice close to home. Telestroke is one example of this.
Example: wound management
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Monday morning
Consumer attends outpatient wound clinic following referral from GP. The wound clinic nurse reviews wound in person.
An MRI is taken. Contact is made with specialist providing consumer information and scan
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Monday afternoon
Specialist reviews MRI.
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Tuesday morning
Consultation with the multidisciplinary team. Management plan provided back to the referring healthcare provider. Plan is received and actioned.
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Tuesday afternoon
Consumer attends wound consultation with a nurse and GP. If GP is unable to attend, plan is sent to the GP following the consultation.
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Friday
Multidisciplinary consultation with a podiatrist and infectious disease specialist using clinical data, wound images and wound culture result. Local providers, consumer and carer invited.
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Following Tuesday
Ongoing care provided with wound nurse GP and GP review.