High-tech telehealth expands in rural Indiana school
BLOOMFIELD, Indiana – Leveraging secure connectivity with medical professionals and high-tech diagnostic equipment, students in the Bloomfield School District can now benefit from an expansion of innovative telehealth technology here. As an active participant in the Indiana Rural School Clinic Network (IRSCN), the Bloomfield Schools K-12 students now have a fully functional telehealth clinic available to them, according to Jeff Gibboney, Superintendent of the Bloomfield School District (BSD).
The new telehealth clinic is being supported by the Greene County General Hospital (GCGH).
“This new high-tech healthcare delivery capacity brings several benefits to our students and parents,” said Mr. Gibboney. “The new clinic will be located in the Bloomfield Elementary School facility, but it will be open to all students on the Bloomfield Schools campus, providing direct access to the outstanding healthcare services available through the Greene County General Hospital.”
Superintendent Gibboney was on hand with other education and state officials to officially open the telehealth clinic at the Bloomfield Elementary School facility April 11. Other officials and administrators taking part in the ribbon cutting included Brenda Reetz, CEO of the Greene County General Hospital; Ariel Feltner, GCGH nurse practitioner; Renee McIntosh, BSN-RN, the Bloomfield Schools District School Nurse;
Kathleen Chelminiak, project director for IRSCN and the Indiana Rural Health Association, and others.
The BSD students will now be able to see a doctor or medical provider through a video-conference. The clinic uses a digital stethoscope and other technology sensory tools to help a linking provider make a diagnosis. School nurses and related staff have received several hours of training on how to utilize the equipment.
Through the technology provided by the rural telehealth clinic, BSD students will have the opportunity to be seen by a remote healthcare provider who actually may be miles away from the school at the Greene County General Hospital. All of this takes place at the elementary facility, while the student remains at school. This reduces challenges that rural students can face when it comes to receiving quality healthcare while school is in session, according to Gibboney.
“Having critical access to healthcare professionals at the Greene County General Hospital means we can deliver a broader range of services during the school day to our 816 students at the Bloomfield School District,” said Renee McIntosh, school nurse. “This exciting technology will provide a full spectrum of benefits for our children from rural areas.”
“This proven technology extends our professional services through cost-effective means,” said Brenda Reetz, GCGH CEO. “With her nurse practitioner background, Ariel Feltner and other health professionals will provide timely and quality services in this innovative program.”
“Our goal is to provide high quality healthcare quickly and remove any barriers to accessing primary care,” said Kathleen Chelminiak, project director of IRSCN.
To celebrate this telehealth clinic opening at the Bloomfield Elementary School, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Thursday, April 11 at 10 a.m. (EST) at the school with education, medical, hospital and agency officials and administrators. The Bloomfield Elementary School facility (which is part of the K-12 Bloomfield School District campus) is located at 500 West South Street, Bloomfield, IN 47424
The new BSD service uses state-of-the-art telemedicine equipment and software to allow medical professionals to directly provide healthcare services. Onsite school medical support staff will use digital diagnostic equipment and sensors transmitting through secure broadband connectivity from the school to facilities at Greene County General Hospital.
“With this new service we can save everyone time and promote quality healthcare delivery,” said Gibboney.
The medical professional or provider conducting the telehealth diagnostic session can also directly send follow-up information to the children’s physician and prescriptions directly to local pharmacies for pickup. To participate, children must have prior parent/guardian consent. Any fees are appropriately billed to insurance. No student will be denied coverage or treatment because of lack of ability to pay.
The ribbon-cutting included a live demonstration of the high-tech telehealth equipment to be used by the rural clinic, including a high-tech imaging stethoscope, dermscope, and otoscope in addition to customized video equipment and software platforms. The Bloomfield School District is now a formal participant in the Indiana Rural School Clinic Network (IRSCN).
The Bloomfield School District initiated the telehealth grant application with the Indiana Rural Health Association to secure funding. “We count ourselves fortunate to have been selected by the IRSCN for the grant and are greatly appreciative to the professionals at Greene County General Hospital for joining us in this true community partnership,” said Mr. Stockdale.
The School-based Telehealth Clinic will also service the telehealth portion with trained medical providers available to help students experiencing acute health symptoms.
Accessing health care in rural areas of Indiana is often more difficult because of factors like poverty, transportation and provider shortages.
“Through this innovative approach of incorporating telehealth into the school setting, we are confident children will receive quality healthcare that is more accessible to them than it ever has been before. Parents won’t have to take time off work, struggle with getting an appointment with their doctor or worry about transportation issues. They can now receive help in getting their children healthier, instead of the limitations they may face with seeking primary care during the school day,” said Don Kelso, IRHA executive director.
The new school-based telehealth clinic is funded through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant made available to the Indiana Rural Health Association.
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About the Bloomfield School District
The Bloomfield School District (BSD) serves more than 800 students grades K-12 on one campus, which includes Bloomfield Elementary School (K-6) and Bloomfield Jr-Sr. High School (Grades 7-12). BSD students are encouraged to learn and achieve academically through a variety of core curriculum and support services that meet the unique education, social and emotional needs of each child. BSD faculty and staff work with students and their parents to provide quality educational opportunities in a structured, safe and supportive learning environment. BSD students have the capacity to become STEM learners, beginning in elementary school with a basic engineering program. BSD programs also include an active Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter and a world-class NJROTC program. High school students can participate in BSD’s Early College program to earn college credit while enrolled at BSD, and the school has embraced a successful Digital Learning Initiative. For more information, please visit: http://www.bsd.k12.in.us/
About Greene County General Hospital
Greene County General Hospital (GCGH) has been the leading provider of hospital and healthcare services to the residents of Greene County Indiana since 1912. We are proud of our rich tradition of compassionate, high quality care provided by friends and neighbors, for friends and neighbors. The Indiana hospital operates four My Clinic locations for localized healthcare delivery in Linton, Bloomfield, Worthington and the WestGate@Crane Technology Park. The stated mission of the hospital is to provide access to quality and cost-efficient health care and to promote healthy lifestyles to people in our service area. Its vision to become the provider of choice by pursuing excellence in service that meets and exceeds the expectations of our customers. GCGH values the worth of all people and believes our partnership should be one of respect and pride. For more information, please visit https://greenecountyhospital.com/
About the Indiana Rural Health Association
The Indiana Rural Health Association was organized in 1997 and is a nonprofit organization working to enhance the health and well-being of rural populations in Indiana through leadership, education, advocacy, collaboration, and resource development. The strength of the organization is through the present diverse membership and the founding organizers who are committed to impacting the health of citizens through the identification of rural health issues and through advocacy roles in both the public and private sectors. IRHA membership is made up of 3,300 diverse individuals and organizations, making it the largest state rural health association in the nation, and a nationally recognized leader in rural health care. For more information, visit www.indianaruralhealth.org