Union Hospital - Wabash Valley Rural Telehealth Network

This telemedicine network of rural hospitals, jails, medical groups and a behavioral health system is facilitated by Union Hospital's Richard G. Lugar Center for Rural Health.

What is it?

This telemedicine network of rural hospitals, jails, medical groups and a behavioral health system is facilitated by Union Hospital's Richard G. Lugar Center for Rural Health.

Who is it for?

Patients in the region.

Why do they do it?

The goal is to improve symptoms and patient compliance, and reduce costs.

Impact

More than 3,000 patients have been seen by telemedicine so far. Critical access hospitals (CAHs) now have 24/7 behavioral health coverage for crisis and routine consultation. Emergency department length of stay (LOS) plummeted from 600 minutes to 240 minutes, with an inpatient LOS of just under 12 hours for patients who participated in the program. The nationally recognized telecardiology program has yielded revenue, saved mileage and reduced costs for CAHs throughout the region and will be implemented at two additional CAHs in Illinois this year.

Contact: Stephanie Laws, RN, BSN
Telehealth Manager
Telephone: 812-243-9767
E-mail: slaws@uhhg.org

Community Connections