Cisco Provides Healthcare to Underserved Communities in California

Cisco (News - Alert) is going to provide health and wellness services to underserved communities throughout California under a California Telemedicine Pilot Project.

 

The company has launched a new telemedicine pilot program initiative with Molina Healthcare, two community health centers in San Diego, and the state of California to this effect.

 

Under this landmark initiative, Cisco HealthPresence will be used to equip more than 15 sites to deliver telemedicine primary and specialty care services. By combining state-of-the-art video, audio, and medical information, this care-at-a-distance technology solution will attempt creating the same patient care experience that a person experiences in an actual practice environment.

 

This program needs funding and Cisco is contributing $10 million of product, services and support for this cause. All these health facilities-Molina Healthcare, Mountain Health and Community Services and La Maestra Community Health Centers will utilize Cisco HealthPresence for delivering primary and specialty care services.

 

This initiative has inspired other organizations such as the University of California at Davis, a telemedicine pioneer that is currently working to join this health ecosystem.

 

Cisco claims that its HealthPresence is more participatory and immersive than in-person visits or telemedicine initiatives of the past. This solution features integrated state-of-the-art medical diagnostic equipment including high-definition cameras and electronic scopes.

 

There are times when collaboration is required and Cisco’s equipment enables a team of doctors to medically examine a patient virtually. Meeting in real time is possible and this has been proved during the two years pilot in clinical settings.

 

John Chambers (News - Alert), chairman and CEO, Cisco said that technology can make a significant impact on healthcare and this initiative is the latest in a series of steps they are taking to help modernize their healthcare system and bring about new models of healthcare delivery.

 

“The use of video and collaboration has significant benefits for the doctor/patient experience as we know it, and Cisco sees telemedicine as a vehicle for transforming healthcare on a global scale,” Chambers added.