March 19, 2024

CCH telemedicine keeps patients on schedule

Clarke County Hospital telemedicine technology kept patients’ appointments on schedule when unexpected weather would have otherwise caused cancellations.

JoAnn Wilson of Osceola was one patient who used telemedicine when her specialist was unable to travel to Clarke County Hospital from Des Moines because of icy road conditions.

“When I saw the weather, I thought I was going to get a call about changing my appointment,” Wilson said. “The telemedicine clinic was as good as if my doctor was sitting here. Like a normal appointment, she looked at me and answered all the questions I had. I definitely see the benefits of having it.”

Telemedicine technology enables medical practitioners to perform a routine physical, though they are not present in the patient room. Erin Houghton, RN and clinical telemedicine coordinator, explained the diagnostic tools that are used during a telemedicine clinic.

“We use several quality diagnostic tools that are very familiar to patients,” Houghton said. “The Bluetooth stethoscope, for example, allows a specialist located in Des Moines to hear a patient’s heart and lungs from Clarke County Hospital. We also use an exam camera that has incredible zoom, 40x zoom to be exact, and the physicians are able to see wounds and surgical sites better than with 20/20 vision. Sometimes, a specialist will prefer to make follow-up appointments using telemedicine.”

Telemedicine at Clarke County Hospital began in 2009, when the hospital received a grant to advance clinical communications in rural Iowa hospitals. Now, Clarke County Hospital has one of the most advanced systems in Iowa. Each inpatient room is equipped with telemedicine, and 18 of 25 specialists who visit Clarke County Hospital can see patients through telemedicine as needed.

“I think we have a very good hospital, and I think we’re very fortunate to have these services offered to us close to home,” Wilson said.