Phoenix-based Banner Health is piloting a telehealth program aimed at increasing access to obstetrical care for rural patients.
The OB telehealth project will connect family physicians with obstetric privileges in rural areas with a specialist, whose sole focus is the care of women as they labor and deliver their newborns, via phone or telehealth, according to an April 7 press release.
This program will provide physicians with a real-time connection to a specialist in inpatient obstetrics care, and allow the OB-GYN hospitalist to access the patient's medical record and assess the health of the newborn and mother via telehealth.
The program began April 5 at Sterling (Colo.) Regional MedCenter.
Banner Health said it hopes to expand the program to other rural communities.