CRMC and Children’s Hospital Colorado strengthen care alliance through teleneonatology services

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - In late 2019, the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation saw how important neonatology services were to the hospital. It then gave a grant to CRMC to purchase a telehealth machine, the machine has now helped improve the care alliance between CRMC and Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Before now, communication was through the phone, but now CRMC medical professionals can video call CHC and show neonatologists in Denver exactly what they are doing.

“They see what we see, we talk to them, it’s definitely a closer relationship and a better way to team up. Not only that but they can hear what we hear," said CRMC Pediatrician, Dr. Andrew Rose.

“Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. So being able to see that patient in distress or to see the rash that they’re talking about,” said Children’s Hospital Colorado lead Neonatologist, Dr. Jeanne Zenge.

Through the telehealth services, CHC neonatologists can walk CRMC professionals through certain procedures and can also speak with the families of the babies.

“Families can take part in this, we can let the family be present with us and also get that direct expertise from the specialist in Denver as well. Which I think will be really nice for some of those difficult moments or sometimes when there’s hard things to explain,” said Rose.

“With the pediatrician there, it’s sometimes nice for them to hear what is our discussion, and why we decided to do some of the things we decided to do," said Zenge.

The teleneonatology option also helps decide of Wyoming babies need to travel down to the neonatal intensive care unit in Denver, or if medical professionals have the resources to keep the babies home.

CRMC and CHC hope to continue improving the care alliance in the future.

Copyright 2020 Wyoming News Now. All rights reserved.