Program Planning - Southeastern Telehealth Resource Center

Program Planning

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From the Community

“As an organization that represents rural hospital providers, we applaud and embrace viable projects that bring new telehealth technology and improved access to care to South Carolina and we are committed to working with Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth and the Southeastern TeleHealth Resource Center to accomplish the goals of this grant.”

Kathy Schwarting, Executive Director, Low Country Health Care Network Bamberg,  SC 

“The majority of our patients are ADHD or autistic and do not have access to a local psychiatrist.  Telemedicine allows them to be seen by a psychiatrist from the Marcus Autism Center and has made a major difference in the lives of the children and their families.”

Laura Harris, Tift Regional Medical Center

TeleHealth Liaison Training & Development

Programs interested in developing telemedicine in their region will have access to TeleHealth liaisons. Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth’s experienced liaison staff will be available for hands-on instruction and assisting programs in training and developing their own liaison programs.

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Local Program Development

SETRC will work with individuals or organizations, advising them on the development of their local telemedicine programs. Areas of SETRC guidance and advice include, but are not limited to:

  • needs assessment,
  • grants development,
  • infrastructure and end-point systems design,
  • developing program partnerships,
  • developing organizational plans,
  • integration with the existing structure,
  • developing program policies and guidelines
  • development of evaluation tools to measure performance and outcomes.

Site Visits

A site survey representative from the SETRC can meet with the Telemedicine Liaison, Program Administrator, and/or Medical, Nursing Directors, and Clinical Education Directors to gather the necessary information to advice regarding the installation of a site’s telemedicine system. Typical information gathered includes the room dimensions, clinical support needs, telecommunications needs, lighting, as well as electrical requirements necessary for determining an appropriate system and program planning list.

Room Configuration

Each telemedicine room is custom designed for a site’s clinical and educational needs, while incorporating standard configuration guidelines. Upon conclusion of a visit to the prospective telemedicine site, the SETRC Site Survey Team identifies modifications required prior to installation of the telecommunications lines, equipment, and cabinetry, and will advise accordingly.

Reimbursement

Reimbursement for telemedicine in Georgia has been addressed. Legislation was passed in 2005 that on or after July 1, 2005, every health benefit policy that is issued, amended or renewed shall include payment for services that are covered under such health benefit policy and are appropriately provided through telemedicine in accordance with Code Section 43-34-31.1

SETRC will work with TeleHealth initiatives in other states in its proposed catchment area (Florida, South Carolina) to help facilitate similar legislation for the reimbursement of telemedicine consultations.