USDA Awards $11 Million For Telemedicine In Rural Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON, April 13, 2004 - Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced $11 million in loans and grants to Wyoming Valley Health Care System, Inc., of Wilkes Barre to improve a telemedicine system serving Luzerne and Wyoming Counties in Pennsylvania.
"Telemedicine makes it possible for patients in rural areas to receive the same high level of care available to the residents of major metropolitan areas," said Veneman. "This funding investment will bring specialized care to the patients of the remotest rural clinics and represents the Administration’s commitment to the future of rural communities.”
The $10 million loan and $1 million grant will assist with the purchase of a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) for radiology and cardiology. The system will capture, store, distribute and display medical images and patient information across a telemedicine network linking a number of rural hospitals and clinics.
Wyoming Valley Health Care System will have computerized radiography at each of the systems radiology end-user sites in Edwardsville, Dallas and Tyler Memorial Hospital (not a part of their system). This will enable the applicant to provide more timely radiology services to their patients. The end-user sites serve small communities located in extremely rural sections of the state. The new process will allow for more timely reading and evaluation of radiology, Cardiac Catheterizations, EKGs, and other vital medical services. With this new technology, availability of this improved service will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Telemedicine systems enable physicians to diagnose and treat patients at remote locations using high-speed telecommunications. Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, USDA Rural Development has provided over $29 million in grant funds for 93 telemedicine projects to develop technologies needed to enhance medical care involving 846 health care institutions.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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