Hospital looks to keep patients in Fairfield with telemedicine service

Jefferson County Health Center is planning to apply for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the hopes of funds to buy distance-learning and telemedicine equipment.

Hospital administrator and CEO Deb Cardin explained to the board of trustees Monday evening the equipment would allow local physicians to consult with others hours away from Fairfield, such as those at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

?We hope to reduce transfers and keep patients here,? she said.

Cardin said the telemedicine equipment could be set up in the health center?s emergency room and specialty clinic area, JCHC Professional Clinic, Fairfield Clinic PC and Medical Arts Clinic. She said equipment also could be set up in local nursing homes and even schools since it can be used for long-distance learning opportunities in addition to patient assessments.

?We hope to partner with Washington and Mount Pleasant hospitals to get the grant,? Cardin said. ?They both want to participate, but their boards still have to approve.?

The estimated total cost is $445,000.

?That?s a lot of money if the others don?t participate,? said board president Bob Keller.

?If we?re going to spend that amount of money, I?d like to see an itemized list,? said board member Renee Rebling, explaining that Cardin said the equipment could be used for education, but ?what kind of education??

Cardin said a detailed list would be written for the grant application.

Because Cardin is anticipating a short timeframe, possibly only a month, from the time the grant deadline is announced and the deadline date, the board agreed to have its finance committee review the grant application before submission and then bring it to the full board.

?You [the board members] will have the final approval in the budget,? pointed out Keller.

According to Cardin, the Clark County hospital is an excellent model of using distance-learning and telemedicine equipment.

?They do all kinds of things with it,? she said.

In other business, the board learned the Wine and Chocolate Tasting fundraiser Thursday evening raised $3,680, which was $180 more than the event raised last year. The funds will benefit the health center?s diabetes education program, as there are people in the community who need the education, but cannot afford it, said Cardin.

Joneane Parker, vice president of clinical services, added the health center, especially marketing manager Ginny Hughes, is ?working long and hard? in preparation of its upcoming health fair set from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21.