The future of healthcare is happening now in Oregon.
When a seven-month-old baby had a fever over 102 and a rash, doctors at a small hospital in rural Oregon used telemedicine to connect to Oregon Heath and Science University. She was eventually diagnosed with a serious bacterial infection. The decision? To fly the child to the Portland, Oregon hospital.
From the story at the Portland Business Journal:
That decision was critical. . . .
The child, who is now 3, spent 111 days in Portland and had her legs amputated above the knee. She’s now doing better and has no memory of the trauma.
This week, the Portland Business Journal will be running a series of stories about how telemedicine is working in Oregon to enhance medical care, particularly in rural areas. Be sure to check it out.
According to PBJ, the ”OHSU Telemedicine Network includes 14 hospitals and offers pediatric and neonatal intensive care, stroke, trauma and other services.”
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CORRECTION: In the original version of this article, it said the patient was diagnosed with a virus.