BETTENDORF, Iowa - A high tech health service is growing popularity in the healthcare industry and allowing more patients in rural areas to have easier access to care.
It's called Telehealth, where health care is provided through video.
It brings care to communities when patients are too far away from health care providers in their network.
“Instead of driving three hours or more to be able to connect its very helpful for them to have a connection from a video perspective, says Amanda Olderog, Director with Unity Point Health
Olderog says the service cuts wait time for patients and brings care to communities short of health care professionals.
“The Telehealth service will ultimately beam in and the TV screen turn on and the patient will be able to have that connection with the provider,” explained Olderog.
Consultations are done just like a regular in office doctor's visit.
“The patients come in and a nurse takes them into a room and takes all of their vitals just as they typically would,” added Olderog.
Then, a medical professional has a private and secure consultation through video. The service is also important in the emergency room at Unity Point.
“Instead of just sending patients on their way you're actually trying to help them have follow up care outside of the emergency room,” says Heather Hall, R.N.
“The most exciting thing about Telehealth is that it means more access to more providers and more care that we can give to the community,” says Olderog.
The most popular services in Telehealth are neurology and psychology. Services are also expanding into blue tooth and home monitoring technology.
Some Telehealth care is offered for free and depending on where you live, it could be covered under your insurance.