OSU TeleHealth Solution, Fairfax Community Hospital launch telemedicine program

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences launched its enhanced OSU TeleHealth Solution service Monday at the Fairfax Community Hospital in Osage County to provide rural hospital patients with immediate medical care using advanced technology to connect with certified, licensed physicians in real time. 

The program offers Fairfax Community Hospital in-patients with instant access to virtual doctors 24/7. As patients rest in their hospital beds, an on-site nursing staff in close collaboration with a healthcare provider can run tests, conduct assessments, and offer a plan of care through a virtual telemedicine mobile cart.

“The COVID-19 crisis is reaching into rural Oklahoma adding a strain to rural hospitals that are trying to bring patients the best care possible right in their hometowns,” said OSU Medicine CEO Rhett Stover. “Technology now allows Oklahoma licensed physicians to assess Oklahoma’s rural patients via enhanced telemedicine tools that help diagnose and begin a treatment plan for patients who are miles away. Rural healthcare providers can keep patients in their home community without the added disruption of care to transport patients long distances for a hospital admission.”

The Fairfax Community Hospital and its managing group, First Physicians Capital Group, is bringing telehealth to the forefront of hospital technology to serve its rural residents in time for the surge in the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Telehealth is a service we have always needed and can now access. In addition to recruiting qualified physicians to travel to Fairfax, we can instantly access board-certified healthcare providers using OSU’s technology to provide quality healthcare at a touch of button,” said Carl Laffoon, Interim CEO of Fairfax Community Hospital.

Laffoon said through their relationship with OSU TeleHealth Solution and OSU Medicine, the hospital now has the ability to offer a wide array of clinical services that positively impact the healthcare vitality in the community.

“OSU Telehealth Solution will provide our hospital with an opportunity where trained physicians actually see the patients every day,” added Laffoon, “This proactive approach allows us go above and beyond and thoroughly evaluate and treat each of our patients.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Melani Hamilton | Managing Director of Marketing & Communications | 918-809-8963 | melani.hamilton@okstate.edu