Partnership with U of U Health to Provide Burn Care via Telehealth

New contract between Central Valley Medical Center and University of Utah Health brings burn care to the residents of Nephi, Utah, from one of the country’s top academic health care systems.

(Nephi, UT) – Officials from Central Valley Medical Center today announced a new partnership with Salt Lake City-based University of Utah Health that will extend the resources of a premier health care institute to Central Valley and the surrounding communities.

The agreement sets the stage for Central Valley Medical Center to provide burn care via telehealth, the use of telecommunications to provide health care to patients in rural and remote areas. The TeleBurn program will connect burn patients to burn experts at University of Utah Health, the only verified burn center in a five-state region.

Gordon Crabtree, CEO of U of U Health, said, “We know patients and their family members don’t want to travel while dealing with health care crises. Because of this agreement, the people of Central Valley don’t have to travel to receive care.”

When patients enter Central Valley Medical Center with a burn care need, providers at Central Valley can instantly communicate with U of U Health experts via videoconferencing or telephone to discuss the patient’s condition and determine the best course of treatment.

The use of technology allows providers at U of U Health to actually see the patient through videoconferencing technology so they can provide the highest level of care.

U of U Health officials are optimistic that the partnership will position both organizations for success in a rapidly evolving health care environment.

“We want to be a resource to help residents across the Mountain West access the best care possible, no matter where they live,” said Ted Kimball, M.D., Telehealth Medical Director at U of U Health.

Randy Cuff, Chief Operating Officer of Central Valley Medical Center, said, “We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the University of Utah TeleBurn technology at Central Valley. This will allow our physicians and patients to connect instantly with one of the top burn units in the country. The goal of TeleBurn is to not only enhance burn care, but allow our patients to have effective care in Central Utah. This program will reduce travel cost, give greater access, and allow for faster recovery.”

Both organizations emphasize the agreement does not change ownership, local control and governance, or restrict patient choice in providers.

Since Central Valley Medical Center, also known as CVMC, opened its doors as a small rural hospital owned by Juab County in the 1950s, we’ve grown from a single hospital to a not-for-profit healthcare system that covers a wide-ranged rural community in Central Utah. Now with more than 15 board-certified physicians trained in over 25 medical specialties, 2 health care clinics, and a hospital. CVMC has integrating state-of-the-art surgical suites, birthing center, radiology, diagnostic lab, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, sleep health clinic, emergency room, and working as a critical access hospital (CAH); allowing CVMC to become a recognized and distinguished part of Central Utah. We are over 250 committed staff members working together to treat all patients with the compassion, integrity and respect they deserve.

Nicholas Stewart

Director of Marketing

Central Valley Medical Center

(435) 623-3115 nstewart@cvmed.net

University of Utah Health is the Mountain West’s only academic health care system, providing leading-edge and compassionate care for the people of Utah and a referral area encompassing five states and more than 10 percent of the continental United States. The health system includes four hospitals and 12 community clinics with more than 1,400 physicians practicing in more than 200 medical specialties. U of U Health has been ranked in the top 10 academic medical centers in the country for eight years running according in the rigorous Vizient Quality and Accountability study, and was ranked #1 in the nation in 2016. University of Utah Hospital is currently ranked No. 1 in the metro area rankings of U.S. News and World Report and is consistently ranked among the country’s best hospitals in U.S. News and World Report’s annual Best Hospitals list.

Suzanne Young

Public Relations/Marketing Manager

University of Utah Health

(801) 661-4609 Suzanne.young@hsc.utah.edu

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