With a grant from the Federal Communications Commission, the Colorado Hospital Association will develop a telehealth network throughout the state of Colorado.
The initiative is set to be the largest healthcare information network in the United States and is an integral part of Gov. Bill Ritter's goal of expanding broadband communication in Colorado.
The FCC will award Colorado with up to $4.6 million in federal funds over a three-year period.
A similar FCC award to the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, a non-profit membership organization that represents Colorado's statewide network of community behavioral healthcare providers, will provide the initiative with $9.8 million. In addition, a 15 percent match from participating healthcare providers will supplement the initiative.
The telehealth network will be designed to enhance the delivery of health services, help control costs and make care more affordable, reduce travel time for consumers, reduce the potential for medical errors and enable healthcare providers to share critical information.
The FCC will cover 85 percent of the cost of building the network, including design and engineering, network hardware and installation for public and not-for-profit hospitals and clinics. Healthcare facilities participating in the program include hospitals, clinics, university and research centers, behavioral health sites and community health centers.
To date, 72 Colorado hospitals, 118 health clinics and 184 mental health centers have signed on to participate in the statewide fiber optic broadband network.
"For too long, rural communities have struggled to secure and retain providers and receive the kind of healthcare they deserve," Ritter said. "This is such an important step towards helping rural patients secure quality healthcare when and where they need it."
The Colorado Health Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to improving healthcare in the state, is also providing support for the initiative, including funding of administrative support not covered by the FCC award.
"This initiative is a natural extension of the foundation's health information technology work underway that will help us meet one of our key goals - to ensure that all Coloradans have access to quality, coordinated health care," said Anne Warhover, president and CEO of The Colorado Health Foundation.
The goals of the Colorado Telehealth Network initiative are threefold. One is to share the benefits of telemedicine access to primary and specialty care patients who normally would have to travel large distances to receive care. Second is to ensure that healthcare facilities are able to use available technologies and expand their efforts in the area of health information technology. Third is the coordination of care in a public health emergency by allowing healthcare providers to share critical information.
"This major milestone will bring Colorado one step closer to putting advanced Internet technology to use in healthcare," said Steven Summer, president and CEO of CHA. "It will significantly enhance access to quality healthcare in rural Colorado."
What is your opinion of this telehealth network? Do you think its goals are achievable? E-mail Associate Editor Molly Merrill at molly.merrill@medtechpublishing.com.