Hudson Headwaters Health Network and PrimeLink Inc. have joined forces to offer free Wi-Fi at two area Hudson Headwaters health centers, enabling patients without access to reliable internet service to be able to access telehealth visits with their health care provider.
\nThe free connections are available for patients to use from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at the health centers located at the Kingsbury Health Center in Fort Edward and at the center on Broad Street in Glens Falls.
\nServices are also offered at Hudson Headwaters facilities in Champlain, Plattsburgh, Ticonderoga.
\nIn response to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, Hudson Headwaters Health Network expanded its telehealth capabilities to enable provider-patient visits online. The service allows patients to receive care without needing to physically enter their health centers, limiting potential exposure to the coronavirus.
\nOfficials said patients can meet with their providers through an internet connection on their computer or other electronic device in the same way they would take part in a video conference. Providers can see and speak directly with patients and family members providing an opportunity to address patients\u2019 health concerns and make determinations about ongoing care.
\nPrimeLink provides voice and data connectivity to each of the Hudson Headwaters Health Network\u2019s community-based health center locations. Due to that long-standing relationship and with the advent of the telehealth program, the two organizations recognized that some communities in rural areas may not have easy access to internet services. This community-access solution helps to solve a local internet access issue.
\nPrimeLink President and General Manager Greg MacConnell said the company \u201cis proud to partner with Hudson Headwaters to help the community stay connected during this difficult time.\u201d
\nAccording to Hudson Headwaters Chief Medical Informatics Officer Dr. Kevin Gallagher, telehealth is a valuable service that all patients should be able to access.
\n\u201cTelehealth allows us to see for ourselves how the patient may be feeling, while ensuring that we maintain the important relationships between our patients and clinical staff during this time of social distancing,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we also understand that some people may not have reliable internet connections. PrimeLink has helped us develop a solution that will be incredibly beneficial for our patients.\u201d
\nAs COVID-19 has demonstrated, stable Wi-Fi networks are important for emergency response, education, business productivity and government operations. People are gathering, learning and working online as social distancing keeps everyone physically apart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hudson Headwaters Health Network and PrimeLink Inc. have joined forces to offer free Wi-Fi at two area Hudson Headwaters health centers, enabling patients without access to reliable internet service to be able to access telehealth visits with their health care provider. The free connections are available for patients to use from 6 a.m. to 9 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":196,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n