Telehealth Grantee Directory

Network Characteristics:

Partners external to the grantee include the ANTHC Division of Information/Technology, the Alaska Federal Heath Care Access Network (AFHCAN), the University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska Physician's EHR Alliance, Edward Deaux, Ph.D., and Gary Hart, MD.

Project Purpose:

Continued Advancement of Telehealth Capacity in Alaska focuses on (1) contributing to Telehealth expansion to three community health centers, (2) establishment of a Telemedicine ENT Center of Excellence, (3) developing an Alaska RHIO, (4) developing a private physician electronic health record office pilot and support structure using health information electronic exchange across State lines, (5) training in the use of this technology, (6) update the OAT definition of "Frontier," and (7) participation in development of national telemedicine technical guidelines.

Outcomes Expected/Project Accomplishments:

1. For expansion to community health centers, AFHCAN software development process is modified for compliance with cGMO.
2. AFHCAN tele-ENT equipment is placed, tested and used at Yakama site.
3. Alaska Chartlinks (RHIO) is created, with Steering, IT and Clinical workgroups established and outside funding commitments secured, and a sustainable business plan completed.
4. The Alaska EHR Alliance is created, with 501(c) (3) status pending, and business plan development finalized. Additional outside funding has been received.
5. Comprehensive Evaluation Plan finalized.

Service Area:

State of Alaska. One component additionally serves the Yakama Nation in Washington.

Services Provided:

Alaska Chartlinks and the EHR Alliance efforts are primarily infrastructure and pilot development. This grant has also provided faculty training in the use of telemedicine for distance education, and provider training in delivery of telemedicine services. Clinical telemedicine services include ENT, Cardiology, Dermatology, and Audiology with expansion to Community Health Centers.

Equipment:

For Community Health Center expansion and ENT Center of Excellence, equipment will include AFHCAN Telemedicine Software, digital cameras, scanners, electro cardiograms, video otoscope, teleradiology equipment and videoconferencing units.

Transmission:

Dedicated telephone line connectivity, with variable bandwidth.

Network Partners:

• The Alaska Telemedicine Advisory Council (ATAC) partnered with the University of Alaska to conduct this project, which ended February 28, 2006.

Project Purpose:

The Summative Telemedicine Evaluation Project (STEP) comprehensively evaluated the Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network (AFHCAN), a 4-year project (1998-2002) funded through OAT. Supplemental funding also supported an International Symposium on Telehealth, and development of policy recommendations and future plans. A no-cost carryover of OAT funding added several dimensions to the STEP project, including business model development, telehealth billing, and publication of abstracts from the conference.

Outcomes Expected/Project Accomplishments:

STEP outcomes included assessment of provider attitudes, and shifts in attitudes and skills; documentation of changes in acceptance of telemedicine initiatives, and analysis of changes in rural Alaska telecommunications infrastructure and services. Policy recommendations were developed, and the International symposium was sponsored and showcased telehealth evaluations around the world. A Telehealth Business Model was developed and circulated. The report "Billing Practices and Reimbursement Status Report on Telemedicine Procedures" was produced.

Service Area:

State of Alaska.

Services Provided:

The project has conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of, and gaps in, telemedicine in Alaska. Findings have formed the basis for recommendations for the future of telemedicine in Alaska, including the formation of an Alaska Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO), expansion of telemedicine into the private sector, and development of a physicians' Electronic Health Record (EHR) Alliance.

Equipment:

Not applicable.

Transmission:

Not applicable.

Network Partners:

Tanana Chiefs Conference (Fairbanks) (2003), Yukon Flats Health Center (Ft. Yukon) (2003), Edgar Nollner Health Center (Galena) (2003), The Dena'ina Clinic (Kenai) (2006), Alaska Native Tribal Healthcare Consortium (2003), The Sunshine Community Health Center (Talkeetna) (2006), Central Peninsula General Hospital (Soldotna) (2006), the Seldovia Village Tribal Clinic (Homer) (2007), the Seldovia Village Tribe (Seldovia) (2007), the Camai Health Clinic (Nanek) (2006), Hoonah Medical Clinic (2007), Justin Mohatt, MD (Seattle) (2006).

Project Purpose:

The mission of the TeleBehavioral Health Project is "to create, promote, and maintain access to Behavioral Health services through advanced technology in rural and frontier Alaska."

1. Provide behavioral health services via video-teleconferencing to remote areas not served by mental health professionals
2. Develop distance delivered psycho-education to consumers.

Outcomes Expected/Project Accomplishments:

1. Increase ability for rural clinics to provide behavioral outpatient services (tracking types and frequencies of services provided, patient referral patterns);
2. Develop a sustainable business model (explore operational strategies, develop collaborative business relationships, explore and implement funding opportunities);
3. Develop a sustainable model of care to deliver services using local mid-level practitioners, village health aides, and village counselors).

Service Area:

Southeast Alaska, Kenai Peninsula, Yukon-Koyukuk (Interior Alaska).

Services Provided:

Psychiatric assessment/therapy services for children, youth, adults; neuro-psych screening; Licensure supervision, case consultation.

Equipment:

Polycom VSX 7000.

Transmission:

Full and fractional T-1 lines.