Telehealth

Telehealth is coming to Sweetwater County. Kathy Tacke, Director of Community Impact for United Way of Southwest Wyoming, states that using Telehealth technology to provide medical care over distance is improving healthcare for people everyday. According to Larry Biggio, Executive Director of the Wyoming Health Information Organization, “Telehealth typically involves physicians using interactive video and/or store-and-forward consultations to treat patients. Interactive video allows medical specialists to directly communicate with their patients who are in another location, using television monitors and specially adapted equipment. Store-and- forward techniques include physicians sending pictures, x-rays, and other patient information directly to the medical provider’s computer. After reviewing that information, the provider then sends the diagnosis back to the local intake site, who treats the patients and provides follow-up care. It allows physicians and health care specialists to diagnose and treat patients over distances – whether that span
is across a street, a city, or a region. Telehealth can prevent uncomfortable delays, high travel expenses and family separation by bringing specialized medical care directly to the people who need it. Telehealth is being practiced in rural areas, school districts, home-health settings and in nursing homes.” An informational meeting regarding Telehealth will be held April 4, 2012 at Young At Heart Senior Citizens Center, 2400 Reagan Ave., Rock Springs, WY beginning at 6 p.m.