Submitted by Providence Swedish
Providence Centralia Hospital is using telehealth technology to make it easier for patients to get specialized care without leaving the hospital. Cameras in the Emergency Department, Medical South and Surgical Unit, called “Co-caring Cameras,” allow care teams to connect with specialists in real time to help diagnose and treat patients. The cameras operate similarly to a virtual video call, so patients and providers can work directly with specialists located elsewhere and receive expert guidance when it is needed the most.
This technology has expanded access to services such as stroke care, intensive care, behavioral health and neurology. For example, telepsychiatry is used almost daily to support patients experiencing behavioral health needs, ensuring timely evaluation and care. This helps reduce delays in treatment and supports better patient experiences.
Telestroke services are utilized multiple times each day. Because every minute matters during a stroke, having immediate access to specialists can make a significant difference in treatment decisions and patient outcomes. Patients who require advanced stroke interventions can be quickly seen and moved to higher-level care when necessary, helping to make sure they receive the most appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Centralia Hospital has also strengthened its teleICU program through a 24/7 partnership with Swedish. This collaboration gives critically ill patients an extra level of monitoring and support from intensive care specialists around the clock. Providers at the bedside can consult with remote critical care experts and offer recommendations in real time. This enhanced level of collaboration supports local care teams and helps improve patient safety.
In addition, telemedicine connects patients with specialists in infectious disease, cardiology and pulmonology. Access to these experts allows patients to receive specialized care close to home, reducing the need for patients to travel elsewhere. For many individuals and families, receiving care close to home reduces stress, saves time and supports continuity of care within their local community.
“This technology gives our care teams access to additional expertise, helping patients receive the right care at the right time,” shares Kelli Burkhardt, senior nursing manager. “It strengthens the care we provide and helps ensure high-quality support for patients, regardless of location.”
Telemedicine at Centralia Hospital helps deliver the same high-quality care patients would expect from larger hospitals while keeping care close to home. By using advanced technology and partnerships with specialists across the region, the hospital continues to expand access to critical services, improve patient outcomes and ensure community members receive expert care when they need it the most.
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