LATHAM SECURES FUNDING FOR UNIQUE REMOTE

FETAL MONITORING HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE

telemedicine technology WILL SERVE NORTHEAST Iowa

WASHINGTON, DC – Through new technology, medical facilities throughout northeast Iowa will soon have the capability to conduct important remote fetal monitoring providing the highest quality care to women and their babies during labor and delivery.  The technology, which is considered the first of its kind in the United States, is being spearheaded by Gundersen Lutheran Health System but is being developed to be accessible to all healthcare providers in the region regardless of their affiliations.

The initiative has received a financial boost through $350,000 in funding secured by Iowa Congressman Tom Latham through his work as a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee.

“This funding was an important goal of mine,” said Latham, who made the announcement from Washington this week using video conferencing technology that is similar to what will be used to conduct the remote fetal monitoring program.  “This system will be an important tool for rural communities and health care providers to ensure safer pregnancies and deliveries for both mother and child.”

The Remote Fetal Monitoring system monitors the baby’s heart rate during labor, continuously assessing the fetus’ well-being and response to labor.  At the discretion of the local physician, real-time data can be sent from rural clinics to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center specialists to facilitate consultations, improve coordination of care, and give women in rural regions access to obstetric specialists. Additionally, physicians can remotely monitor their laboring patients at the hospital, while continuing to see clinic patients throughout the day.

The goal of the system is to enhance community-based care.   This system allows patients to receive the best care possible in their own communities, eliminating travel expense and facilitating the transfer of patients only when absolutely necessary.

The funds obtained by Congressman Latham for the Remote Fetal Monitoring system were included in the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2007.  The measure has been approved by the full Committee and now awaits action by the full House and U.S. Senate before it can be signed into law by the President.