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Telemedicine Keeps Patients Close to Home

October 1, 2009

Access to medical specialists can be a challenge for patients who live in rural areas. Distance and access to transportation are the most common barriers, especially for the elderly and poor. But thanks to the evolution of telecommunication capabilities, a high quality and affordable solution is rapidly becoming more accessible. The inception of telemedicine services at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital earlier this year has enabled patients to see certain specialists at larger tertiary care centers while in Coudersport.

Charles Cole collaborated with Hamot Medical Center to start using telemedicine - initially with Hamot stroke specialist, Dr. James DeMatteis - in which patients at CCMH interact with physicians via live, interactive videoconferencing with specially designed medical devices. A telemedicine evaluation is similar to a regular office visit except the specialists are out of the area and the patient can remain close to home. Health care professionals at CCMH assist the patient and the consulting physician during the evaluation and act as advocates for the patient, according to Val Jackson, telemedicine program director and regional director, Hamot Heart Institute.

Clinicians at CCMH can use the technology, which includes a large, high definition screen, with clinical accessories including a stethoscope and video camera for real time assessment. The off-site provider is able to discuss a patient’s clinical history and presenting health issues as well as see and hear everything that is happening in the patient room in Coudersport.

Telemedicine can accomplish the same high level, quality care with significantly reduced travel, financial investment, time commitment and reliance on friends and family, Jackson said.

Scott Tubbs didn’t realize the impact of telemedicine until he really needed it. Tubbs was trying to rid his property of some ground bees in September when he suffered major burns. From CCMH, he was transferred to UPMC Mercy, a Level I trauma and burn center in Pittsburgh. After being discharged from the burn center and sent home to Coudersport, he faced the reality of several return trips to Pittsburgh for follow up visits with his burn specialist at Mercy Hospital.

After Dr. Andrew Watson, surgeon and vice president, international and commercial services division at UPMC, learned of Charles Cole’s telemedicine capabilities, he agreed to see Tubbs using the technology.

“The tele-burn consult represents one of the most sophisticated forms of telemedicine. A patient can save eight hours of travel time, weather permitting, and still receive excellent specialist care. The tremendous resources at Charles Cole were utilized as skilled surgeons were able to perform specialty burn surgical care under the supervision of a specialized burn team four hours away in Pittsburgh,” Dr. Watson said.

That convenience meant a lot to Tubbs’ family. He explained that in order to see his doctor at UPMC, he would have had to take time off from his job and travel four hours one way. Being able to see a UPMC doctor, in Coudersport, via telemedicine, was much more cost effective, he said. But in addition to the convenience, he said using the technology did not sacrifice quality. In fact, he said using telemedicine was better because he not only saw Dr. Watson but also had CCMH’s Dr. Frank Horn in the exam room, giving him the opportunity to consult with two physicians. Tubbs said he would definitely recommend telemedicine to others.

“Telemedicine fundamentally changes the way we take care of patients; it uncouples the traditional belief that patients and providers have to be side by side. Health care today is focused on cost, quality and access and telemedicine is one of the prominent ways we can achieve success in these areas,” Dr. Watson said. “Telemedicine represents a new way for independent and rural hospitals to preserve their identity with increased access to specialty and tertiary centers.”

“Telemedicine allows us access to the best care, not second rate care,” said Netra Baker, director of staff development and professional enrichment at CCMH. “The possibilities are practically endless with this technology. If we can connect a patient with a physician in a more specialized health system, we are providing the very best patient-centered care.”

Caption: Patient Scott Tubbs consults with Dr. Andrew Watson at UPMC using telemedicine at Charles Cole. Also pictured, from left, are Dr. Frank Horn, and Netra Baker, RN, who uses a handheld camera to capture close up images for Dr. Watson.