The Syracuse VA Medical Center https://www.va.gov/syracuse-health-care has a new service that expands their virtual service technology to include Tele-Critical Care (TeleCC).
TeleCC is an advanced telehealth program providing remote ICU physician and nurse support to care for patients using virtual technologies and clinical information systems.
TeleCC adds an additional layer of monitoring to standard care, by increasing access to intensive care expertise while working collaboratively with bedside teams. TeleCC services allow for continuous monitoring of Veterans receiving ICU care even when local providers may be assisting with other critical patients.
TeleCC providers can visualize patients with the use of bidirectional audio visual systems that enables them to be present in a patient’s room in “real time”. The Syracuse VA is the third New York VA Medical Center to provide the new TeleCC technology. Buffalo and Albany were the first two New York State Medical Center’s to incorporate TeleCC as part of Veteran care. The new program will be rolled out to other New York VAs within the next six months.
Also, in an effort to help veterans especially in rural areas, Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Ed Case D-HI), and Glen Grothman (R-WI) have reintroduced the Bipartisan Recruiting in Underserved Rural Areas and Localities for Veterans (RURAL Veterans Act) to address the shortage of medical professionals available to serve Veterans.