New SCCH to feature telemedicine

Telemedicine has been around for some time now in places like Saltville Medical Center where patients and their physicians can consult via teleconferencing technology with specialists at the University of Virginia, sparing patients long drives.

The same technology will be part of the replacement Smyth County Community Hospital

where physicians can consult specialists in obstetrics, gerontology, pediatrics and infectious diseases in Johnson City. East Tennessee State University physicians can also perform patient exams via the audio-visual connection.

SCCH is one of two Southwest Virginia hospitals to be included in a new telemedicine network partially funded by a federal grant. The U.S. Department of Agriculture presented last week a $191,600 grant to ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine. Combined with a $96,000 match from ETSU, the funds will help establish a system linking medical centers in Smyth and Tazewell counties, Johnson and Hancock counties in Tennessee, and Harlan County, Ky.

Funds will be used to purchase and install high-definition videoconferencing equipment.
"We are really excited to be part of this network," said Lindy White, CEO of Smyth County Community Hospital. "This will be a great benefit for our patients in Southwest Virginia for our physicians to be able to consult with specialists and sub-specialists in areas like infectious disease and geriatrics. This will allow our patients to stay close to home for care as opposed to driving to Johnson City or somewhere else."

The telecommunications equipment will also be used for physicians and other providers to continue their medical education and training, White said.

Construction crews are putting finishing touches on the new Smyth hospital, set to open April 14. Installation of the new equipment, whose funding was announced late in the hospital’s construction, will not be an issue. Mark Montgomery, SCCH director of operations, said Wednesday the equipment will become part of an examination room in the new hospital already identified for its installation.

Dr. Philip Bagnell, dean of the medical school, said officials there hope to expand the program in the future.

dkegley@wythenews.com

David McGee, Media General News Service, contributed.