Healthland, America's market leader of healthcare information solutions for small community and critical access hospitals, announces its support and recent success of the Louisiana Rural Health Information Exchange (LARHIX) telemedicine initiative. A 2009 survey released by the LSU Health Science Center (LSUHSC) in Shreveport reveals that patients and healthcare providers from rural Louisiana hospitals are not only experiencing high satisfaction from telemedicine capabilities but are also saving time and money with the program. This is particularly important to the state of Louisiana where, according to LARHIX state-wide statistics: 32 percent of the population is in federally designated medically underserved rural communities; the population’s health ranking is among the lowest in the country; and 23.7 percent of rural Louisianans live below the federal poverty line.

LARHIX is a state-funded organization designed to support Louisiana’s health information technology initiatives in rural areas and provide a health information exchange for the state’s rural health care providers. Its telemedicine initiative links rural health care providers to LSUHSC in Shreveport through its interconnectivity between rural physicians and LSUHSC specialists, allowing patients to access specialized health care from physicians in Shreveport without leaving their communities. Healthland, a provider of electronic medical records solutions supporting the telemedicine program, was the first vendor to share electronic clinical data through the LARHIX healthcare portal with LSUHSC.

“LARHIX is to be commended for its work and commitment to using health information technology to improve patient care quality and coordination between healthcare providers in Louisiana,” said Angie Franks, Healthland Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We are proud to partner with LARHIX and LSUHSC to help transform community healthcare in the state of Louisiana. We look forward to continuing down this path with more hospitals so that everyone in the state has access to the best healthcare.”

The LARHIX program has begun to implement and support the technologies necessary for a successful telemedicine program in unserved and underserved areas of Louisiana. In fact, the recent survey shows that patients were satisfied with the communication with their healthcare provider and the equipment used; experienced a high comfort level and high quality of care; and found the care to be equivalent to care they would receive through an in-person visit. The results also show savings in time and travel costs. In 2009, the patients report time savings in travel and waiting time an average of 3.3 to 7.9 hours and a travel cost savings of $63 to $215 for each visit.

Out of the 15 hospitals currently participating in the Louisiana telemedicine program, six are Healthland’s customers. They include:

• Hardtner Medical Center - Olla, La.
• Richland Parish Hospital - Delhi, La.
• Union General Hospital - Farmerville, La.
• LaSalle General - Jena, La.
• Tri-Ward General - Bernice, La.
• West Carroll Memorial - Oak Grove, La.

Today, many patients at these hospitals are utilizing the LARHIX telemedicine program to share healthcare data between the Healthland electronic health record system and the electronic health record system at LSU-Shreveport – this time and cost saving capability would not be possible without the LARHIX program. According to healthcare officials, this project will help avoid duplication of medical services and tests and is expected to save millions of dollars for the state.

“These technology advancements are essential to quality healthcare in rural America,” said Franks. “At Healthland, we will continue to support leading edge IT initiatives that not only improve patient care in rural communities, but support transforming community healthcare. We look forward to other states simulating the impressive work being done in Louisiana.”

Recent additions to the telemedicine program include the use of live video to detect strokes remotely so patients have access to the clot-busting drug tPA within the recommended four-hour time period and a mobile mammography unit to provide digital mammograms to underserved women. The organization also now offers DynaMed, a database that provides physicians access to the latest treatments and standards of patient care.

About Healthland:

Founded in 1980, Healthland (formerly Dairyland Healthcare Solutions) is America's market leader of IT solutions to small community and critical access hospitals. Committed exclusively to this market, Healthland software and services empower small community hospitals to deliver the best possible healthcare by helping create one patient chart across the community, be it a hospital, clinic, home healthcare or long term care facility. Healthland solutions are specifically designed for rural hospitals, enabling them to focus on what they do best – caring for neighbors, family and friends.

Healthland was founded in Glenwood, Minn. and maintains business hubs in Minneapolis, Minn., Louisville, Ky. and Waco, Texas. To learn more, visit: http://www.healthland.com.