Providing In-patient Telehealth to Rural Hospitals-Connected Network for Rural Hospitals

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. We are happy to announce that the pilot supported by funding from HRSA COE grant went live on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Copiah Medical Center in Mississippi. We anticipate launching of the program at Greenwood Leflore Medical Center in November 2023.