Improvements showcased at open house

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The newest renovation and telehealth program were the stars of Clarke County Hospital's open house Feb. 21.

Citizens were able to tour the facilities and see the new machines and the future of health care in Clarke County.

The hospital completed construction last month on the first floor west wing project, which now houses visiting specialty physicians, cardiac rehabilitation, vascular services and the specialty clinic telehealth program.

Telehealth brings care to the patient through a secure, real-time video link.

"No one can hack into the system," said Suzanne Carlson, a clinical resource nurse. "We've gone to a lot of trouble and expense to make sure that wouldn't happen."

Patients can visit their local hospital for examination or treatment by a specialist instead of traveling to a larger city for the same services.

Telehealth uses many of the same instruments patients would normally see in a doctor's office for diagnosis, but some produce better images and sound quality. Carlson said a physician miles away can sometimes hear and see the problem better by using these high-tech instruments and cameras.

Nearly 160 people braved a snow storm to tour the facilities. Clarke County resident Barb Mason said she was impressed with the newest additions.

"I think it's wonderful," she said. "It's great to have a facility in Clarke County, because there's a lot of things we don't have to go to Des Moines for now. The best part is they did it with money they already had and didn't have to go in debt. We should be proud of that."