ECU Health is launching a new telemedicine project to improve access to specialized care for rural patients at four hospitals: ECU Health Bertie, ECU Health Chowan, ECU Health Duplin and ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan. These sites currently have limited access to specialist physicians, requiring patients to travel to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville for care.
By connecting these sites to the ECU Health Medical Center hub, this project will offer telemedicine services directly at local hospitals, reducing travel costs and improving access to high-quality care. ECU Health has been awarded nearly $1 million from the USDA to operationalize this initiative. The project includes installing telemedicine carts at each site and advanced telehealth equipment in patient rooms at two locations.
This will enable patients and clinicians to consult with specialists at ECU Health Medical Center remotely while receiving in-patient care in the community hospitals that do not currently have specialists on site. The technology will provide a seamless and high-quality experience for both patients and clinicians.
This initiative will significantly benefit underserved communities, particularly by reducing the financial barrier of traveling for medical care. It also aims to improve patient health outcomes by keeping families and their support systems close during treatment. This assistance from the USDA aligns with its mission to enhance health care access in eastern North Carolina and become a national leader in rural health.