(Spirit Lake)– A healthcare network that serves a number of communities in northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota has been awarded funding for a telemedicine program.
U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin announced Tuesday the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development, has awarded slightly more than 1.1 million dollars to Avera Health through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.
Avera plans to use the money to increase access to telemedicine, including consultations, tele-radiology, e-ICU, e-pharmacy and e-emergency care. A portion of the grant will be used to train medical staff in the region.
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program helps encourage, improve and make affordable the use of telecommunications, computer networks and related technology for rural communities to improve access to education and medical services.
