Partnership with Hamot Brings Telemedicine to Charles Cole
Patients from the area often travel to larger cities for their specialty care. However, thanks to modern technology, area patients may now be spared what is typically a four-hour drive.
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with Hamot Medical Center, added prominent specialists Dr. Steven Herrmann and Dr. James DeMatteis to CCMH’s medical staff earlier this year. This partnership also includes the addition of telemedicine technology, in which patients at CCMH interact with Hamot physicians via live, interactive videoconferencing with specially designed medical devices. A telemedicine evaluation is similar to a regular office visit except the specialists are in Erie 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 provider at Hamot 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.
An example of the benefit of telemedicine is the follow up appointment after cardiac bypass surgery. An individual would be expected to return to Hamot for a follow up surgical visit in four to six weeks. That means a total of five or six hours in the car for a 15 minute examination. The long distance travel, coupled with unpredictable winter conditions, can cause a significant hardship for patients. 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.
As an enhancement to health care, telemedicine has been used nationally with accuracy and convenience. For rural areas, where patients would typically travel great distances to see a specialist, telemedicine provides a great service to patients in our local community, said Netra Baker, director of staff development and professional enrichment at CCMH.
Nancy Lamb of Coudersport was the first patient to use telemedicine at CCMH. She has traveled to Erie to see Dr. DeMatteis in the past but was extremely pleased with having the option of seeing him in Coudersport using telemedicine. Traveling out of town to see a specialist is a strain due to her medical condition. Therefore a five minute drive to CCMH versus three hours was appealing. “My experience was excellent,” she said. “It was just like a face-to-face office visit. The technology is excellent.”
Initially, Dr. DeMatteis, a neurologist, will use the technology to see his current patients for follow up appointments. CCMH plans to expand telemedicine to other clinical areas including cardiology, emergency department, and even continuing education for doctors and nurses.
Telemedicine can be used as an educational tool for physicians, allied health staff and the community. Continuing education is an application that is of great need for all hospitals; sending staff to a conference creates a financial hardship and manpower issue. With this technology in place, Hamot can share educational programs with Charles Cole staff at no additional cost, Jackson said.
“Telemedicine was started at Hamot in 2006 as an avenue to provide access to specialty care and services that might not be provided in rural communities. It is another way to keep with Hamot’s mission of leading the way to better health,” Jackson said.
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital is a full service, comprehensive health system based in Coudersport with service throughout north central Pennsylvania. In addition to the hospital’s main campus in Coudersport, CCMH provides primary health care, including wellness and physical therapy, to surrounding communities in four counties at rural health centers in Galeton, Ulysses, Westfield, Shinglehouse, Port Allegany, Eldred, Smethport, and Emporium. For additional information on the hospital’s services and medical providers, visit www.charlescolehospital.com.
Pictured, Leo Sillick, PA-C, listens to Mark Close’s heart, which is also seen and heard on the laptop and monitor and also at Hamot in Erie, and Mark Close communicates with a provider at Hamot in Erie.
(Photos courtesy of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital)
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with Hamot Medical Center, added prominent specialists Dr. Steven Herrmann and Dr. James DeMatteis to CCMH’s medical staff earlier this year. This partnership also includes the addition of telemedicine technology, in which patients at CCMH interact with Hamot physicians via live, interactive videoconferencing with specially designed medical devices. A telemedicine evaluation is similar to a regular office visit except the specialists are in Erie 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 provider at Hamot 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.
An example of the benefit of telemedicine is the follow up appointment after cardiac bypass surgery. An individual would be expected to return to Hamot for a follow up surgical visit in four to six weeks. That means a total of five or six hours in the car for a 15 minute examination. The long distance travel, coupled with unpredictable winter conditions, can cause a significant hardship for patients. 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. As an enhancement to health care, telemedicine has been used nationally with accuracy and convenience. For rural areas, where patients would typically travel great distances to see a specialist, telemedicine provides a great service to patients in our local community, said Netra Baker, director of staff development and professional enrichment at CCMH.
Nancy Lamb of Coudersport was the first patient to use telemedicine at CCMH. She has traveled to Erie to see Dr. DeMatteis in the past but was extremely pleased with having the option of seeing him in Coudersport using telemedicine. Traveling out of town to see a specialist is a strain due to her medical condition. Therefore a five minute drive to CCMH versus three hours was appealing. “My experience was excellent,” she said. “It was just like a face-to-face office visit. The technology is excellent.”
Initially, Dr. DeMatteis, a neurologist, will use the technology to see his current patients for follow up appointments. CCMH plans to expand telemedicine to other clinical areas including cardiology, emergency department, and even continuing education for doctors and nurses.
Telemedicine can be used as an educational tool for physicians, allied health staff and the community. Continuing education is an application that is of great need for all hospitals; sending staff to a conference creates a financial hardship and manpower issue. With this technology in place, Hamot can share educational programs with Charles Cole staff at no additional cost, Jackson said.
“Telemedicine was started at Hamot in 2006 as an avenue to provide access to specialty care and services that might not be provided in rural communities. It is another way to keep with Hamot’s mission of leading the way to better health,” Jackson said.
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital is a full service, comprehensive health system based in Coudersport with service throughout north central Pennsylvania. In addition to the hospital’s main campus in Coudersport, CCMH provides primary health care, including wellness and physical therapy, to surrounding communities in four counties at rural health centers in Galeton, Ulysses, Westfield, Shinglehouse, Port Allegany, Eldred, Smethport, and Emporium. For additional information on the hospital’s services and medical providers, visit www.charlescolehospital.com.
Pictured, Leo Sillick, PA-C, listens to Mark Close’s heart, which is also seen and heard on the laptop and monitor and also at Hamot in Erie, and Mark Close communicates with a provider at Hamot in Erie.
(Photos courtesy of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital)
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