Lake Pointe Medical Center links NICU with Children’s Health System of Texas

ROWLETT, TX (March 10, 2015) – Lake Pointe Medical Center (LPMC), based in Rowlett, Texas, has linked its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with Children’s Health System of Texas (Children’s Health^SM) using the pediatric hospital system’s TeleNICU program. The TeleNICU program will permit neonatologists at LPMC to collaborate on diagnosis and care with UT Southwestern Medical Center neonatologists on staff at Children’s Health^SM. In some cases, a TeleNICU consultation will eliminate the need for transport to another hospital, so newborns can remain in Rowlett and avoid the stress of transfer and travel on patients and their families.

“We are excited to partner with Children’s Health to bring the TeleNICU program to our patients atLakePointe,” said Brett Lee, CEO, LPMC and Dallas Market for Tenet Health. “Having a child in the NICU is a stressful time for any new parent and being able to keep infants and their families close to their community, when possible, removes an added stress from the both the patient and parents.”

Neonatologists and specialized neonatal nurses staffing the 17-bed Level-II and Level-III NICU at LPMC can now connect to Children’s Health^SM through a mobile equipment cart that includes medical-quality videoconferencing, secure data transfer and a specialized stethoscope and camera for the physical examination. Neonatologists at LPMC can use the TeleNICU service for a wide range of consults, including interpreting medical data and images, confirming diagnoses and conferring on treatment plans. UT Southwestern neonatologists at  Children’s Health^SM Level-IV NICU inDallas are able to virtually examine newborns using specialized cameras and stethoscopes, and view and discuss medical tests with colleagues in real time.

Dr. Gregory Welch, Medical Director of the NICU at LPMC stated, “The incorporation of this state of the art technology has further solidified our excellent partnership with the Children’s Health NICU team and allows for consultation with sub-specialists remotely.  Parents can participate in the consultations and ultimately in the care of their infant which improves outcomes and parent satisfaction.”

Announced in 2013, Children’s Health^SM TeleNICU is the state’s first dedicated neonatal telemedicine program, utilizing specialized equipment and broadband transmission to allow two-way, real-time interactive communication between the highly specialized UT Southwestern neonatologists on staff at Children’s Health^SM and distant-site hospital practitioners.

“We are delighted that LakePointeMedicalCenter, a respected leader in adult and pediatric care statewide and in the fast-growing Rowlett/Rockwall area, is now a TeleNICU affiliate,” said Doug Hock, COO of Children’s Medical Center Dallas and executive vice president of Children’s Health^SM. “Both Lake Pointe Medical Center and Children’s Heath share the goal of continuously improving the quality of care to pediatric patients and the TeleNICU program allows both institutions to accomplish that goal.”

Submitted by Laura Puig.

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  Children’s Health System of Texas, Lake Pointe Medical Center, TeleNICU, UT Southwestern Medical Center