In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, telemedicine has emerged as a transformative force, bridging gaps in access to care and revolutionizing the delivery of medical services. At the forefront of this revolution stands the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), a pioneer in telehealth innovation for over a decade.
In 2017, UMMC’s dedication to excellence in telehealth was formally recognized when it was designated as one of only two federally designated Centers of Excellence in Telehealth (COE).
This prestigious designation by the Health Resources and Services Administration entrusted UMMC with a pivotal role in expanding our research capacity to benefit Mississippi and the United States. The center works to break down the silos and serve as a national clearinghouse for telehealth research, resources, and initiatives.
The COVID-19 pandemic has established telehealth as an essential part of healthcare service delivery. The UMMC Center for Telehealth’s response to the pandemic and vast experience in implementing and scaling a wide diversity of telehealth programs has uniquely positioned us as a national leader in helping grow the field of telehealth in the post-pandemic era.
Mississippi faces great challenges in rurality and healthcare disparities but has successfully leveraged the connections afforded by technology to improve the lives of citizens through telehealth programs.
Key Innovations in Telehealth
The UMMC Center for Telehealth has established multiple innovative programs that provide telehealth services to Mississippi’s medically underserved population that face a high prevalence of chronic diseases, high poverty rates, and lack of access to health care services.
- TelEmergency. Starting with the first telehealth program, TelEmergency, in 2003, the Center for Telehealth has maintained a steadfast commitment to extending healthcare access to rural communities in Mississippi. It offers consultations to Emergency Departments (EDs) in critical access hospitals, facilitating timely and expert care delivery. Over the past five years, the program has notably grown from serving 11 sites to now encompassing 23 locations.
- SCRMC Telehealth Program. Accessibility to quality medical services is paramount. Recognizing this need, South Central Regional Medical Center (SCRMC), a rural healthcare facility in Laurel, Mississippi, has taken proactive steps to enhance patient care through telehealth initiatives. SCRMC’s Telehealth Program aims to bridge geographical barriers and expand access to medical expertise, particularly in underserved areas. The program facilitates virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and telemedicine appointments by leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure patients receive timely and personalized care regardless of location. One of the key aspects of SCRMC’s Telehealth Program is its commitment to promoting community engagement and education. Through outreach efforts and informative sessions, SCRMC strives to raise awareness about the benefits of telehealth and empower individuals to take charge of their health.
- TeleCritical Care. Many critical access hospitals in rural states have to transfer patients to other medical centers that provide higher levels of care. Sometimes, patients must be transferred out of state if beds are not readily available. This puts a tremendous burden on patients and their families. In addition, critical access hospitals also incur revenue losses from transferring patients out, leading to financial strain. To support the bedside team at critical access hospitals in Mississippi and enable 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 in the EDs and 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 on April 1, 2024, at Greenwood Leflore Medical Center in Mississippi.
- Virtual Nursing. Most health systems have turned to innovation and technology to find solutions; however, rigorous studies still need to be completed. We have designed and implemented a virtual nursing project that will enable remote nurses to assist bedside nurses in reducing burnout, improving efficiency, and enhancing patient satisfaction. The virtual nursing pilot program went live on Monday, March 20, 2023. The project will integrate AI-based technology to enhance virtual nursing capabilities, focusing on fall prevention in hospitals and remote patient monitoring.
Telehealth Implementation Assistance
The UMMC’s COE is organizing the first Telehealth Implementation Bootcamp with a grand kick-off July 18-19, 2024, in New Orleans. Along with collaborators from the southern region Telehealth Resource Centers and the Medical University of South Carolina COE, this 36-week Bootcamp welcomes healthcare groups developing new telehealth programs or seeking to expand existing ones. Participants will receive technical assistance, tools and resources, and monthly deep-dive sessions with subject matter experts. Registration is free to individuals and organizations committed to an interactive, tailored support experience. (Learn more HERE.)
Overall, UMMC’s telehealth program has grown to serve over 200 sites across Mississippi and collaborations with organizations nationally. As UMMC’s Center of Excellence in Telehealth continues to chart new frontiers in telemedicine, its collaborative ethos and dedication to innovation serve as guiding beacons, illuminating the path toward a more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare landscape. Through ongoing partnerships and pioneering initiatives, UMMC remains steadfast in its mission to harness the power of telehealth to improve lives and advance the art and science of medicine.
Learn more about UMMC’s Center of Telehealth and COE programs.
