Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation
PO Box 1810
Kearney, NE 68848-1810
www.gshs.org
Wanda Kjar, RN, BS
Ph: 308-865-7742
Fax: 308-865-2986
Email: wandakjar@catholichealth.net
Network Partners: NE: Good
Samaritan Hospital, Richard Young Hospital,
Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Ctr., Callaway
District Hospital, Tri-Valley Health Systems,
Cozad Community Hospital, Gothenburg Memorial
Hospital, Valley County Hospital, Dundy County
Hospital, Rock County Hospital, Franklin County
Hospital, Chase County Hospital, Brown County
Hospital, Webster County Hospital, St. Anthony’s
Hospital, Kearney County Health Services. KS:
Norton County Hospital, Phillips County Hospital,
Jewell County Hospital, Smith County Memorial
Hospital.
Project Purpose: The Good
Samaritan Hospital Mid-Nebraska telemedicine
Network (MNTN) provides improved access to health
care services for rural underserved populations
in Nebraska and Kansas. The network provides
both clinical consults and educational offerings
to 18 rural hospitals. In 2003, the MNTN received
the "Integrated Rural Healthcare Award"
by the Nebraska Rural Health Association.
Outcomes Expected: Program
data collection is built around the key concepts
of clinical effectiveness, use of the system
and cost-effectiveness. Nebraska Public Service
Commission/Nebraska Hospital Telehealth Network
Patient/Provider Satisfaction (measure) –surveys
(tool), Quantify Patient Usage of Services Provided
(measure) – OAT GPRA Performance Measure
(tool).
Service Area: The target population
for this project includes 187,471
i ndividuals residing in a 28-county area in
Central, Northern and Southwest Nebraska and
North-central Kansas. Of the 28 rural counties
to be served through the Mid-Nebraska Telemedicine
Network, 20 are either full or partial Medically
Underserved Areas (MUAs). Twelve of the counties
are either full or partial Health Professional
Shortage Areas, with seven listed under HPSA
Primary Care, nine listed under HPSA Mental
Health and under HPSA Dental.
Services Provided: The Mid-Nebraska
Telemedicine Network became operational in 1995.
Mental health, emergency mental health, deaf
& genetics counseling, cardiology, teletrauma,
infectious disease, geriatric assessment, neurology,
oncology, orthopedics, occupational therapy,
hospice, diabetic education, nutrition, speech
pathology, wound ostomy care, teleradiology,
domestic/child abuse interviewing, professional
and community education.
Equipment: Remote sites:
24 Polycom videoconferencing systems; 6 Starviews
within the system, at the GSH sites, 15 Polycoms,
Video Server Bridge, Accord Network Bridge,
AMD Otoscopes, AMD Stethoscopes, 5
Wellathome units.
Transmission: T1 lines to
all MNTN network hospitals and ISDN capabilities.
Internet access provided via other Nebraska
networks—i.e., UNMC, CN-AHEC. |
