Fairfield Medical Center Uses Telemedicine Technology

June 2, 2011

Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Fairfield Medical Center have come together to provide families from rural areas the chance to benefit from the pediatric expertise Nationwide Children’s specialists have to offer.

Telemedicine, also known as videoconferencing, enhances accessibility and communication between physicians through real-time videoconferencing, allowing the referral center physicians to visually access the patient and review diagnostic images and data in real-time. This technology enables specialists in Columbus, Ohio to view distressed children or newborns with exceptional clarity, examine detailed x-rays, view lab results and consult with pediatric physicians in Lancaster, Ohio.

"This new technology allows us to provide a higher quality of care to our patients and we are looking forward to the many advantages it provides," said Mary McGee, Maternity Department Manager at Fairfield Medical Center. "This form of communication allows the physicians to visualize the patient when making clinical decisions. It has been a pleasure working with Nationwide Children's Hospital."

This enhanced form of communication allows:

  • Great collaboration with Nationwide Children’s specialists who can gain more comprehensive knowledge of a patient’s case through a real-time video connection.
  • Expedited transport and placement of patients that require intensive or special care services.
  • Ability to provide remote assistance if a patient’s condition suddenly worsens.
  • Improved likelihood of families being able to continue care at their home hospital.
  • Reducing the number of patients sent to other facilities seeking specialty services.
  • If the patient is transferred to Nationwide Children’s or another NICU facility, the referring physician can take part in rounding (also known as reverse rounding) which ultimately helps improve the continuity of care once baby is discharged.
  • Better control of medical expenses.
  • Education opportunities offered via teleconference.
  • 10-15 minute Baby-cam sessions allow mothers (who have not been discharged) to see their baby at another location. 

About Nationwide Children's Hospital

Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs, as well as prioritizing quality and safety, are part of what allows Nationwide Children’s to advance its unique model of care. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 14,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.7 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.