Patients needing health care in Nevada’s rural counties soon will have an easier time interacting with their doctors online, thanks to an agreement announced today between the Nevada Hospital Association and data company Switch to operate a new statewide fiber network.
The Nevada Broadband Telemedicine Initiative will connect data centers in Las Vegas and Reno with hospitals, health care facilities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and private businesses across the state on the first all-fiber broadband connection between the two cities.
“We are delighted to have Switch, the developer of world-class Supernap data centers and one of the largest telecom gateways in the world, as a partner on this project,” Bill Welch, president and CEO of the Nevada Hospital Association, said.
Switch will operate the Nevada Broadband Telemedicine Initiative, which is funded in part through a $19.6 million federal grant awarded to the Nevada Hospital Association. The project is expected to cost $25 million and be completed in mid-2016.
Telemedicine, or the delivery of health services through technology rather than in-person visits, has long been hoped for as part of the solution to Nevada’s physician shortage and the challenge of delivering care in rural areas. More than 20 years ago, the Nevada Office of Rural Health developed a telehealth program to connect rural sites using telephones, mail and fax machines. A bill signed into law last year requires parity in insurance coverage between telemedicine and in-person treatment.
“This network is a game-changer for Nevada hospitals, schools and underserved rural communities.” said Chris Donnelly, executive vice president of connectivity at Switch.