University of South Alabama
University of South Alabama (USA)
307 N. University Blvd., HSB 1100
Mobile, AL 36688
www.cshi.southalabama.edu

Carl W. Taylor
Dawn Hicks, MPH
Ph: 251-461-1810
Fax: 251-461-1809
Email: cwtaylor@usouthal.edu

Network Partners:
University of South Alabama Health System
Alabama Department of Public Health
Alabama State Medicaid Agency
Jason Harrah, MD

Project Purpose: The Representational Medical Environment for Data Exchange (RMEDE) project will build upon the existing BioTrac program, which utilizes home monitoring tools to provide vital patient data of
enrolled patients suffering from a chronic illness. The RMEDE project will further demonstrate the power of aggregated patient specific information when made available to the physician. This VMR (Virtual Medical Record) will use claims data to create a true 360-degree view of the patient providing data regardless of whom/where a provider has been seen. Using the BioTrac project the primary care physician will not only have access to claims data but also vital data submitted via the patient’s home telephone using monitoring tools.

Outcomes Expected: Outcome measurement for the RMEDED project will use a risk indices (RI) approach for each patient. The patient will be assigned a number (RI) based on the number of hospital admits, ER admits, clinic visits, etc. This number will then be adjusted (ARI) at the conclusion of the project where comparisons will be made between the RI and the ARI. It is anticipated that a decrease in numbers will be found showing increases in patient cooperation and improvement. The BioTrac project will utilize evaluation tools to measure perceived outcomes of the study. Such outcomes include the patient’s hospital/ER admission status, self reported data and a provider’s input of the study. It is anticipated that fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits will be experienced when compared to previous admissions of enrolled patients, thereby reducing overall costs of healthcare.

Service Area: The RMEDE project will solely focus initially in Baldwin County Alabama while the BioTrac project focuses on Alabama Department of Public Health areas statewide.

Services Provided: Services provided include a VMR with home health monitoring of patients suffering with chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic heart failure, and asthma.

Equipment: BioTrac program uses CyberNet Medical with A and D peripherals.

Transmission: Home-based program uses Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) with Internet access on the provider site.

University of South Alabama
University of South Alabama (USA)
307 N. University Blvd., HSB 1100
Mobile, AL 36688
www.cshi.southalabama.edu

Carl W. Taylor
Dawn Hicks, MPH
Ph: 251-461-1810
Fax: 251-461-1809
Email: cwtaylor@usouthal.edu

Network Partners:
University of South Alabama Health System
Alabama’s Children’s Rehabilitative Services
Alabama Department of Public Health
Southwest Alabama Abuse Network (SWAN)
Baptist Health System
Six Rural Hospitals

Project Purpose: The core mission of our program is extending medical education and clinical outreach services to rural care delivery sites and to provide a network to support the medical and educational activity needs of our partners. Each of the projects we review has a common theme in improving healthcare and through telemedicine we are able to achieve this goal. Using traditional means of transmitting telemedicine images has afforded remote locations with services which otherwise would not be available. Through traditional telemedicine venues, we are able to support and provide additional tools and services to the most remote locations in Alabama.

Outcomes Expected: Outcome measurement is a major focus of the CSHI telemedicine program. Being able to provide sound data of achieved outcomes is paramount in improving future programs. Attendees participating in videoconferencing programs are asked to complete evaluations scoring the program’s worth. Additionally, physicians conducting telemedicine consults are asked on a quarterly basis to complete evaluations of consults conducted during the timeframe. These evaluations are reviewed and changes are made accordingly.

Service Area: Primary service areas include six (6) rural hospitals located in rural Alabama, one (1) urban clinic, one (1) Public Health Clinic, one (1) state Public Health Department, and four (4) urban hospital sites.

Services Provided: Services provided include, but are not limited to traditional telemedicine services for Children’s Rehabilitative Services of Alabama, Children’s Sexual Abuse and Psychiatric examinations, Peer
Review through the SWANN network, HIV patient examinations, Homeland Security/Disaster Training (under other CDC HRSA funding), and videoconferencing services.

Equipment: Includes traditional telemedicine equipment using legacy apparatus such as Polycom, RX Rovers, Polycom Bridge, and patient exam units utilizing AMD peripherals.

Transmission: IP and ISDN transmission with PRI access to statewide video. Desktop platform utilizing DSL platform or better.