Teleradiology: Maniilaq Health Center Goes Digital
Teleradiology with GCI ConnectMD enables community health practitioners in the Northwest Arctic Borough to take digital pictures of eardrums, rashes and wounds and send the pictures via satellite to physicians at the Maniilaq Health Center in Kotzebue for review. These providers often work with specialists in Anchorage and others who can provide comprehensive care. One particular group of providers currently examines approximately 1,000 x-rays per month, often from their own homes.
"Prior to this technology, community health practitioners often had difficulty explaining an injury or illness. With visual images and video, we can accurately diagnose the problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment," said Dr. J. Michael Orms, medical director for the Maniilaq Health Center.
The Health Center can now send x-rays digitally and receive recommendations from specialists within 24 hours, whereas it once took up to two weeks by mail to receive a response. Since the equipment was installed, there have been over 6,100 digital images taken and sent to providers over the network.
About GCI ConnectMD
ConnectMD is owned and operated by GCI (Nasdaq: GNCMA), an Alaska-based telecommunications company that has been successfully providing solutions to customers for over 25 years. The unique combination of telecommunications expertise, a focus on healthcare, and proven experience delivering medical network services, regardless of location, distinguishes ConnectMD from other health IT solutions. Currently 140 facilities are securely exchanging medical data and have access to a suite of health IT tools and services on the ConnectMD medical network.
