St. Martin Hospital, part of Lafayette (La.) General Health, is partnering with the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center to offer telemedicine services to inmates, according to local ABC affiliate KATC.
Through the partnership, inmates can receive immediate medical treatment without having to leave the St. Martinville, La.-based correctional center. An onsite nurse can extend care to the individual and use telemedicine technology to connect with St. Martin Hospital clinicians when needed.
"For the first time, we now have accessibility to physicians and nurse practitioners any day of the week: holiday, weekends, nights," said Karen Wyble, St. Martin Hospital CEO, according to the report.
The partnership, which is supported by a USDA grant, extends beyond telemedicine. Inmates can also now participate in a follow-up care program at the Breaux Bridge, La.-based hospital after they're released from jail. Program participants will receive a Medicaid card and can get medical treatment at St. Martin Hospital's community health clinic.