Finding the Right Telehealth Partner for Your ICU: What Questions You Should be Asking

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evaluating telehealth partner, healthcare administrator reviewing dataA strategic guide for department leaders and hospital administrators

November 13, 2025

As telehealth becomes a permanent fixture in healthcare delivery, choosing the right partner can be like finding a needle in a haystack. For intensive care units (ICUs) and other high-acuity departments, the stakes are especially high. The right telehealth partner can help streamline workflows, improve reporting and support better patient outcomes.

But with so many vendors, where do you begin? What factors should you consider before signing?

This guide outlines key questions to ask when evaluating telehealth partners for your ICU, helping clinicians and administrators identify solutions that align with their operational goals and clinical standards.

Does the Partner Understand ICU Complexity?

ICUs operate under intense pressure. Common traits include fast decision-making and multidisciplinary care for high patient acuity. A telehealth partner must demonstrate a clear understanding of your workflow dynamic and offer solutions that can keep up with and complement your department’s standards.

Consider asking:

  • How does your model support acute care?
  • What level of training do your clinicians hold?
  • Can you provide examples on how your services integrate into ICU rounds and care coordination?

How is Technology Integrated into Existing Systems?

Technology is what quite literally makes telehealth such a fascinating innovation for the healthcare realm. Unreliable and spotty systems would make it feel like you took one great step forward but are now three steps back. Look for partners that offer secure, interoperable platforms capable of integrating with your electronic health record (EHR), communication tools and clinical documentation systems.

Consider asking:

  • What platforms do you use, and how do they integrate with our current systems?
  • What does onboarding and training look like for our clinical staff?
  • How do you work with our IT team?

What Outcomes Can You Demonstrate?

Beyond marketing claims and sales tactics, seek evidence of impact. The most credible partners will share performance metrics, case studies, client testimonials and will be direct and transparent. It’s important that they share real-world improvements in efficiency, compliance and patient care.

Consider asking:

  • Can you provide examples over the last year of hospitals or departments that have benefited from your services?
  • What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you track and how do you report results?

How Scalable and Customizable Is the Solution?

ICU telehealth should always be tailored to your department’s needs. Your needs may change over time, whether it’s due to staffing changes, patient volumes or regulatory updates. An ideal and flexible telehealth partner will offer scalable solutions and customizable workflows that grow with your team and organization.

Consider asking:

  • How do you approach changes in a partner’s environment?
  • How do you tailor your services to meet a department’s needs?

What Support and Communication Can We Expect?

You don’t want to deal with being handed breadcrumbs. Consistent communication and support are essential for long-term success and a respectful relationship. From implementation to daily operations, your telehealth partner should offer clear communication and proactive problem-solving, regardless of your familiarity with the service.

Consider asking:

  • Who will be our point of contact?
  • What does support look like post-launch?
  • How do you handle urgent issues or workflow disruptions?

Who Benefits Most from a Strong Telehealth Partnership?

While telehealth services can enhance workflows across many hospital departments, its impact can ripple the most in ICUs and emergency departments (EDs), whose workflows are always “all-hands-on-deck” and benefit from extra assistance.

A strong telehealth partnership can provide drastic improvements in a short amount of time. It’s also a two-way street; a department’s on-site staff must be open to welcoming virtual clinicians to ensure a seamless transition. This is why it’s important to ask several questions and not rush into making decisions spontaneously.

Why Intercept Telehealth Stands Out

Intercept Telehealth is a Florida-based leading provider that delivers a gold standard of critical care, supporting hospitals everywhere, from anywhere.

We offer 24/7, 365 days of services in tele-critical care, virtual nursing, virtual sitting, tele-neurology/stroke and tele-sepsis. From customized onboarding in four simple steps to ongoing performance reporting, we offer a partnership that is 100% committed to helping your department thrive.

Ready to Ask the Right Questions?

Choosing a telehealth partner doesn’t have to feel tricky. With patience, research and a willingness to ask the right questions, you can land on the perfect match.

To learn more about Intercept Telehealth’s services and solutions, contact us today!