OTN is initially connecting 300 users with the new Polycom solution and plans to add thousands of additional sites next year. Officials anticipate the expanded network will also expand the applications for telehealth. Currently, telehealth is used for real-time consultations between specialists at larger hospitals and patients at their community health centers; a telestroke program which connects stroke neurologists to emergency rooms to help evaluate time-critical patient needs; mental health evaluations and treatment; and to enhance medical care within correctional facilities. Healthcare practitioners and health system professionals also use the OTN network to gain access to an active program of educational and administrative events.
The Polycom CMA Desktop is also a key component of OTN's pandemic response planning for the current H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. The OTN telehealth capabilities allow healthcare to happen across distances, which can accelerate response times, while protecting physicians from infection. To ensure that OTN can continue to provide telemedicine support services in the event of an outbreak, OTN service staff is outfitted with video telework capabilities as part of their comprehensive plan.
"There are numerous potential applications for telehealth and interest is growing because it delivers significant, tangible benefits, including improving access to quality care, improving efficiency and the distribution of clinical expertise, enhancing education and training, and helping lower overall healthcare costs," said Dr. Jeffries. "In fact, the President of the United States has referenced successful telehealth programs like the Geisinger Health System in rural Pennsylvania in several recent speeches as examples of more efficient, cost-effective healthcare models. This recognition is reinforced by new Federal funding programs that encourage telehealth for hospitals and community clinics."
Polycom visual communication solutions are the most widely deployed video systems in telehealth networks today and used by leading hospitals and practitioners around the globe. Customers can choose from a wide range of Polycom voice and video solutions to meet different application, space and budget requirements, including industry-specific solutions such as the Polycom HDX Practitioner Cart, a wireless, mobile telepresence solution suited for emergency room and community clinic environments, and other healthcare-specific solutions developed with Polycom ARENA ecosystem partners including Global Media, AMD Global Telemedicine, AudiSoft Technologies and Colubris Networks.
Polycom will showcase its solutions for telehealth and telemedicine at the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) Third Annual Mid-Year Meeting taking place Sept. 23-25, 2009 in Palm Springs, Calif. at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort.
SOURCE: Polycom, Inc.