Support to Rural Hospitals and Community Providers

Project Overview

Many critical access hospitals in rural states have to transfer patients to other medical centers that provide higher level of care. Sometimes, if beds are not readily available then patients have to be transferred out of state. This puts a tremendous burden on patients and their families. In addition, the critical access hospitals also incur revenue loses from transferring patients out leading to financial strain. In order to support the bedside team at critical access hospitals in Mississippi and enabling them to provide care for patients locally in their communities we have designed and implemented a 24/7 Tele Critical Care project. Under this project, bedside providers both in the Emergency Department and on the wards can connect with board certified critical care physicians and discuss care for their patients via Audio/video visits facilitated through mobile carts. The pilot supported by funding from HRSA went live on November 7, 2023 at Copiah Medical Center and April 1, 2024 at Greenwood Leflore Medical Center in Mississippi.