The University of California Davis Health System and the California Telehealth Network CTN) received funding through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program to explore further possibilities for broadband usage.
Today, eHealth Broadband Adoption grant funding is being used to increase anchor site usage of CTN. Grant support helped the initial implementation of CTN management services, technical training, and assisted in establishing Model eHealth Communities.
CTN’s first goal is to expand access to broadband in underserved regions in the state. By the end of the second quarter in 2013, 775 sites now have access to the network. Of these sites, 243 sites have direct CTN connections and an additional 532 sites have access through the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) and other connections. CTN has expanded the list of connected broadband providers during this period and is continuing to work towards 863 total connected sites.
CTN’s goal to provide eHealth training is moving ahead. To date, 874 individuals have accessed the online eHealth Broadband Adoption Training courses for nursing students in community colleges and for medical assistant and computer science students. In addition, continuing education course materials on Broadband Enabled HealthCare are available online for state nursing education credits.
So far, the CTN’s eHealth Broadband Adoption projects have established 15 Model eHealth Communities to provide equipment to healthcare and public safety anchor sites. The Model eHealth Communities funds are being used to acquire eHealth technologies and telehealth equipment.
In addition, the Model eHealth Communities are developing the content needed for community colleges to incorporate technology adoption into the healthcare workforce curriculum. In addition, the program offers libraries the tools to support consumer healthcare literacy via broadband access plus provide computer skills and broadband training,
The Model eHealth Community awardees span 26 counties in rural, urban, and suburban regions. The program provides for telemedicine carts and in April 2013, two telemedicine carts were installed. Supplemental equipment such as exam cameras, stethoscopes, and otoscopes were delivered to use on the telemedicine carts and are being used in 22 different sites.
As part of the program, University of California Davis-led team of experts will eventually go to the 863 connected sites across the state to address the eHealth needs of community anchor institutions and emphasize the importance of adopting broadband in remote area clinics, hospitals, and health centers.