CEO of Central Logic, Angie Franks, shares how technology can help rural hospitals get through the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.
The Covid-19 pandemic could not have come at a worse time for rural hospitals that were already struggling. However, various types of health IT can help strengthen the footing for these hospitals, which are essential to their communities.
Some health systems use technology that provides real-time visibility into resources such as ICU beds, specialist care and ventilators, which can help rural hospitals determine whether they should transfer a patient with Covid-19 (or any condition). This kind of provider collaboration can ensure patients who are critically ill with Covid-19 can access critical care centers typically affiliated with a large health system while admitting the patients who can safely and effectively achieve high-quality outcomes closer to home.
If patients do stay at the rural hospital, telehealth technology can enable a specialist physician from a larger health system to consult with the local physician at the patient’s bedside, which can save travel and time for everyone involved.
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