Mississippi medical center plans for telehealth growth
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and data company Venyu Solutions have partnered to expand the healthcare organization's telehealth services.
Venyu will construct a stand-alone, 16,000-square-foot facility to accommodate increased services offered by UMMC's Center for Telehealth.
The two organizations signed a lease agreement that will begin around July 1, according to information on UMMC's website.
"The new space for UMMC's Center for Telehealth demonstrates our commitment to a healthier Mississippi," said Kristi Henderson, DNP, CFNP, CACNP, chief telehealth and innovation officer at UMMC. "We have to approach healthcare differently if we expect a different result.
"Telehealth allows us to bring healthcare to people in their community, at their workplace, schools or in their homes," she added. "This new center will give us the space to meet the demand and serve as a center of excellence for Mississippi's telehealth."
The telehealth program averages 8,000 consultations a month nowadays, said Henderson, pointing out that figure is a sign of healthy growth in UMMC's telehealth program.
UMMC's telehealth program functions as a virtual clinic performing direct medical diagnostics and treatment from physicians, specialists and nurses.
The leased building is being constructed exclusively for the Center for Telehealth's expansion, including specifications designed for:
- A Telehealth Operations Center to facilitate and provide telehealth services to hospitals, clinics, corporations, correctional facilities, and other entities throughout Mississippi;
- Center for Telehealth technology operations and call center, administration and support services;
- A Remote Patient Monitoring Center to monitor and provide care for patients in their homes using mobile technology;
- An Innovation Living Lab to serve as an incubator for innovation and solutions at the intersection of technology and health care; and
- A workforce development training center with a focus on healthcare and technology development.
"This development is a wonderful marriage of high-tech, high-innovation activities that represents the economic future of Mississippi," said James E. Keeton, MD, UMMC vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. "From our new Telehealth Center, we will literally be able to bring some form of healthcare services to every Mississippian who has a network connection."
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.