CHICAGO (AP) — State officials have started a telemedicine pilot program to treat HIV and Hepatitis C at three Illinois correctional centers and hope to expand the program.
The Illinois Department of Corrections and University of Illinois at Chicago have partnered for it. It's called the "Telemedicine Pilot Program" and is currently at correctional centers in Danville, Lincoln and Robinson.
It works like this: Each center has a screen with medical instruments connected to a UIC telemedicine unit. That means the doctor can see the patient's heart and lungs at the university. A medical staff member with the inmate can be directed by the UIC specialist.
A corrections medical director says the program allows for specialty care of complex medical issues from remote locations.
Officials hope to add three prisons each month.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
The Illinois Department of Corrections and University of Illinois at Chicago have partnered for it. It's called the "Telemedicine Pilot Program" and is currently at correctional centers in Danville, Lincoln and Robinson.
It works like this: Each center has a screen with medical instruments connected to a UIC telemedicine unit. That means the doctor can see the patient's heart and lungs at the university. A medical staff member with the inmate can be directed by the UIC specialist.
A corrections medical director says the program allows for specialty care of complex medical issues from remote locations.
Officials hope to add three prisons each month.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
