County 28: Decatur

We came full circle recently while visiting Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH). Exactly 14 months ago I launched the Indiana Telehealth Network at the hospital. Now the network is well underway at Decatur County’s rural access hospital.

The Telehealth Network is providing better patient care to those living in our rural areas. Doctors at DCMH are using a fiber-optic broadband network to remotely consult in real time with other healthcare professions, who are in other cities, to accurately diagnose and treat patients. For instance DCMH is connected with IU Health and the telestroke network, and now stroke victims are treated faster and more effectively. Also, DCHM is becoming a video conferencing host site next year for the Indiana Rural Health Association.

Lt. Governor Skillman praises officials for their work in bringing the Indiana Telehealth Network to Decatur County. The Telehealth Network is providing better patient care to individuals living in rural areas of Indiana. 

There are 57 state-wide facilities – most are critical access hospitals – that are part of the Indiana Telehealth Network. I recently celebrated St. Vincent’s Williamsport Hospital’s completion of its telehealth network in Warren County. Check out the video from the news conference here. 

Each critical access hospital that is part of the Indiana Telehealth Network is opening doors for better connectivity throughout their community and state. So it is not just better healthcare that we celebrate – we celebrate better communications for Decatur County and the entire state. Individuals, families and business stand to benefit from the Indiana Telehealth Network.