The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ ANGELS program was recently featured by the National Telehealth Policy Resource Center (NTPRC) in its “Best Practices” Series. View the article by clicking here.
Dr. Wilbur “Chuck” Hitt, MD and Gordon Low, APN conducting a telemedicine clinic.
According to the NTPRC the series, “features exemplary telehealth programs throughout the United States, whose approach and application of telehealth represents a useful reference for providers, policymakers, insurers, and other stakeholders interested in telehealth.”
The thinking behind the program, according to Mario Gutierrez, the NTPRC executive director, is to highlight creative and successful applications of telehealth.
Gutierrez said, “From our perspective, it is critically important to demonstrate to policymakers, health care providers and payers, and consumers that technology can make a real difference in improving both the quality and efficiency of health care, particularly for the underserved.”
Tina Benton, Program Director for the ANGELS program, said,”the program is insuring that all high risk obstetrical patients in Arkansas have access to maternal fetal medicine subspecialty care , telemedicine has been a great tool, which now we plan to expand our reach by using tablet and smart phone technology for physician guideline access and home monitoring of patients.”
As the article states,
“there is much that can be learned from the ANGELS program about the best practices that exist in the field of telehealth. They have successfully utilized telehealth to reduce the infant mortality in their state, making the program a model for other specialties and states. Of the many best practices to be taken away from the program, their efficient use of technology, outreach activities and ongoing training and education are three to learn from and be inspired by.”
We look forward to seeing how the series progresses. As telehealth has exploded there are more and more excellent programs to feature.
While I’m at it I’ll put in a plug for the NTPRC’s nifty interactive policy map and its extensive list of pending legislation categorized by jurisdiction, type and topic. A very useful resource.
Roz Perkins, APN, and Curtis Lowery, MD, conducting a high risk OB clinic.
