Bell Atlantic Awards Second Grant to Geisinger for Telemedicine System

Strategic Insights -

Bell Atlantic has awarded Geisinger a second grant of $200,000 to expand its telecommunications and telemedicine system, connecting doctors and hospitals in central and northeastern Pennsylvania with specialists at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. The new technology will enable doctors to transmit diagnostic images and provide health care professionals and patients in remote areas with access to specialty care, removing geographic isolation as an impediment to delivering health care.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bell Atlantic awarded a second grant of $200,000 to Geisinger for a telecommunications and telemedicine system, expanding its network to connect doctors and hospitals in central and northeastern Pennsylvania with specialists at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
  • The new technology will enable doctors to transmit diagnostic images, such as ultrasound and CT scans, and provide access to specialty care for patients in remote areas.
  • Geisinger has already added new teleconferencing links at its Scenery Park office in State College, Centre County, and at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre.
  • The additional grant will help expand teleconferencing and telemedicine links to other locations in the Geisinger service area.
  • Geisinger is committed to broadening its medical teleconferencing network over the next few years.
  • The new technology has the potential to break down barriers in health care delivery, including the inefficient flow of information among providers, especially in rural areas.
  • The system will facilitate communication and reduce travel time among health care professionals, allowing for distance learning, health-professional education, and medical consultations.

Statistics:

  • Bell Atlantic has awarded Geisinger two grants totaling $400,000 for the telemedicine system.
  • The new technology will connect doctors and hospitals in a 150-mile radius, including those in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
  • The telemedicine system will provide access to specialty care for patients in remote areas, reducing barriers in health care delivery.
  • The system will accommodate medicine's growing need for distance learning, health-professional education, and medical consultations.

Sources:

  • Bell Atlantic (NYSE: BEL) press release, "Bell Atlantic Awards Second Grant to Geisinger for Telemedicine System," December 14, 1995.
  • Geisinger Health Systems.