Sanford opens virtual care center, aids rural healthcare access in U.S.
SOUTH DAKOTA, UNITED STATES — Sanford Health has taken a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare accessibility by opening its new Virtual Care Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
This cutting-edge facility is designed to improve virtual healthcare services across rural communities in the United States Midwest, where access to traditional healthcare can often be limited.
Enhancing healthcare access in U.S. Midwest
The Virtual Care Center serves as a central hub for delivering remote healthcare, utilizing advanced technology to reach patients who might otherwise face barriers such as long travel distances.
“Virtual care is really providing care to patients at a distance,” explained Susan Berry, vice president of virtual care at Sanford.
The center facilitates various forms of virtual care, ranging from simple online questionnaires to comprehensive video consultations and remote patient monitoring.
Technological solutions for remote patient care
Sanford’s new facility is equipped with three essential components that drive its virtual care strategy: the Education Institute, the Innovation Center, and a dedicated virtual primary care team.
The Education Institute focuses on training clinicians in virtual care practices, ensuring that future healthcare providers are well-prepared to deliver remote services effectively.
The Innovation Center offers a space where new technologies can be tested and refined. “This is an area where we have a maker lab that we can bring our employees into to test out new ideas,” said Katie Pohlson, vice president of innovation and commercialization at Sanford. This facility encourages collaboration with industry partners to develop cutting-edge solutions tailored to the needs of rural populations.
Innovation and education at the core
The center’s emphasis on innovation and education is crucial as technology continues to evolve rapidly. By providing a platform for testing new ideas and training healthcare professionals, Sanford ensures that its services remain at the forefront of virtual healthcare delivery.
Addressing challenges in rural healthcare
Virtual healthcare plays a pivotal role in addressing key challenges faced by rural communities, such as limited access to healthcare professionals and the logistical difficulties posed by long travel distances.
“As we kind of enter into the winter months, travel can be a barrier for patients receiving care,” Berry noted. Virtual care mitigates these issues by offering essential services without requiring physical travel.
Sanford’s commitment to expanding its virtual care footprint underscores its dedication to ensuring all patients have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their geographic location.
“We need to ensure access to care for everyone, regardless of their zip code,” Berry emphasized.
With over 850,000 virtual visits conducted within a 250,000-square-mile radius, Sanford’s new Virtual Care Center is set to revolutionize healthcare delivery in rural America, offering innovative solutions that bridge the gap between patients and providers.
