Boise, Idaho-based St. Luke's Health System opened what it calls the region's first "virtual hospital" in August.
The virtual hospital brings together the health system's telehealth programs under one roof. At the 35,000-square-foot center in Boise, a team of St. Luke's physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and IT staff will be able to diagnose and treat patients across remote areas of Idaho and eastern Oregon using two-way cameras and remote monitoring equipment.
The program will focus on three key areas: clinic consultation, hospital consultation and home monitoring.
"We see this center as the place where compassion meets innovation," said Chris Roth, COO of St. Luke's, in a news release. "When you can unite technology, skill, talent, innovation and compassion to solve the health challenges our neighbors face, and do it before they have to seek care in a traditional hospital, the value is incalculable."