Bridging the Distance Divide: Using FirstNet to Bring Care to Rural Communities
State Room
The Emergency Medical Services community has much to offer rural America where healthcare options are dwindling. Staffing shortages, travel distances, and budget constraints are closing doors of much-needed rural health services.
The remote area of Jackman, Maine, was experiencing such constraints, especially on nights and weekends when the local health clinic was closed. Through an innovative telehealth project, the region now has 24/7 urgent care. Paramedics can now treat patients after hours using technology to consult — in real time — with emergency physicians at a hospital 120 miles away. Come learn about the keys to the program’s success, including public safety broadband, widely available technology, and advanced medical training for local paramedics.
