Riverside's telemedicine network provides services throughout the system using either carts (mobile telemedicine stations); telemedicine suites; or desktop, laptop and tablet applications at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock, Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, Riverside Doctors' Hospital Williamsburg and Riverside Mental Health &Recovery in Hampton.
Riverside's telemedicine capabilities also support nursing and rehabilitation services at the system's convalescent centers and retirement communities. The ability of telemedicine to "bring the doctor to the patient" offers greater convenience and comfort and improves follow-up care for residents in these facilities.
A growing array of telemedicine services
Riverside's telemedicine network provides neurology consultations as well as a special Telestroke program that enables neurologists at Riverside Regional Medical Center, on 24 hour call, to work remotely with local emergency department physicians regarding triage, treatment and transfer decisions.
The continually expanding list of telemedicine clinical areas also includes:
- Dermatology
- Ear, nose & throat
- e-Visits from nurses and physicians
- Genetics counseling
- Maternity (teledelivery)
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric emergencies
- Psychology (telepsych)
- Sleep studies
- Wound care
We also expect a number of other applications to benefit from telemedicine support in the very near future including bariatric surgery, endocrinology, nephrology, infectious disease care and intensive care.
Along with these areas, telemedicine or more accurately, telehealth (the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but telemedicine usually refers to clinical applications while telehealth encompasses a broader range of services) is also a growing resource for health education and training.
Moving toward the future
Riverside's telemedicine network brings a whole new meaning to "The doctor will see you now". With its ability to expand access to high quality care in rural areas, improve patient outcomes and save costs, telemedicine is positioned as an important part of the future of health care in our region and nation.
Riverside is committed to being part of this future and equally committed to using innovative telemedicine technologies to provide the best possible health care delivery and wellness resources to people in the communities we serve.