ONEONTA — Earlier this year, a newly formed affiliation between A.O. Fox
Hospital and Albany Medical Center brought the two health-care institutions
closer together.
Now, thanks to a state grant, they will move closer still.
Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, announced Tuesday that the state will
provide Fox with $100,000 to set up a telemedicine program between Oneonta and
Albany.
Telemedicine employs advanced communications systems such as video
conferencing to allow a health-care provider to examine a patient without being
physically present. It is a relatively new and evolving medical practice.
"Our telemedicine program with Albany Med will allow physicians and nurses to
take advantage of education opportunities without leaving Oneonta," said John
Remillard, president at Fox. "This technology will also enable our patients to
receive consultations with Albany specialists, again without leaving
Oneonta."
Remillard said Fox will begin with hook-ups at its main campus and at the
FoxCare Center in the town of Oneonta. He said the program should be running
within 30 to 60 days.
Albany Medical Center already is part of a telemedicine network in New York
called the Adirondack Area Network. Remillard said Fox will be linked into that
network when it joins with Albany Medical Center.
"We're very, very pleased with the support that Assemblyman Magee has shown
for our patients," Remillard said.
Fox is not the first area hospital to launch a telemedicine program. In 1993,
Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown began a telemedicine project that today links
its regional clinics and hospitals for diagnostic and educational purposes.
Bassett recently announced that is beginning to employ telemedicine practices
in patients' homes, as well.
Remillard said Fox plans to eventually expand its telemedicine program to
include similar applications. He said the state grant, along with money provided
by Albany Medical Center, will cover the initial equipment and operational
costs.