Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center launched its new telemedicine intensive care unit program to help extend care to critically ill patients at rural hospitals.
Part of Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Center for Connected Care, the Tele-Intensive Care Unit is staffed with board-certified physicians who have undergone advanced training in critically ill patient care. The TeleICU team uses two-way audiovisual technology to work with bedside clinicians in rural hospitals and provide real-time care, monitoring and support to ICU patients. The program has access to Dartmouth-Hitchcock's software eCareManager, which allows clinicians to monitor patients' conditions and detect issues before they become more serious.
Through the new telemedicine program, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health is providing care to its partner facilities, including Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., as well as Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. The Tele-ICU program also connects with DHMC's own medical, surgical and neurological ICUs.
"We've incorporated TeleICU in our own medical center because we recognize its ability to support our physician and nursing staff, mitigate burnout and improve satisfaction, while at the same time reinforcing the culture of safety and our commitment to quality patient care," said Stephen Surgenor, MD, medical director for D-H TeleICU, according to a news release emailed to Becker's Hospital Review.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Connected Care telemedicine program currently serves more than 20 hospitals in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. It provides virtual care services for areas including emergency services, neurology, pharmacy and urgent care.