New Tele-ICU Model Announced

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Advanced ICU Care just launched a first-of-its-kind telemedicine partnership to create a new model of ICU care for patients in South Carolina.

“By partnering with Advanced ICU Care, the nation’s largest tele-ICU provider, MUSC will enable critical care patients to be monitored 24/7 by board-certified intensivists. This offers a new solution to the current ICU crisis seen in not only South Carolina but across the U.S”, said Mary Jo Gorman M.D and CEO of Advanced ICU Care.

This public-private partnership made possible in part by the state of South Carolina recently provided a $12 million grant to MUSC for telemedicine services that includes tele-ICU services. The funding will be used to support the adoption of tele-ICU care to community and rural hospitals.

“For a patient in critical condition, access to a tele-ICU can be the difference between life and death, said Pat Cawley M.D, MUSC Executive Director and Vice President for Clinical Operations. “Partnering with Advanced ICU Care gives us a new way to improve our state’s health and we are grateful to the South Carolina legislature for their support for telemedicine.”

Advanced ICU Care has a track record for reducing the number of patient transfers with its partner hospitals. Programs based on this care model on average reduce mortality by 40 percent, increase patient growth by 17 percent, and increase patient throughput by 25 percent so that more patients can to be served without adding beds.

Telemedicine grant funding will be available later this year. For details on how to apply for grant funds, contact Dee Ford M.D Critical Care Outreach Medical Director at fordd@musc.edu. To learn more about the tele-ICU programs, contact Chris Yancey at 866-394-6100 or email cyancey@icumedicine.com or go to www.icumedicine.com.