Based on the growth and public acceptance of telemedicine and patient remote monitoring technologies experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Blessing Health System has secured a $393,012 federal grant to expand its use of those platforms.
Two Blessing projects were among 36 projects nationwide selected to receive funding from the Federal Communications Commission’s, “Connected Care Grant.” Blessing will purchase the hardware needed to expand its use of remote patient monitoring and treatment equipment, and of video technology to treat chronic, long-term, and behavioral health conditions. The projects would serve an estimated 1,900 patients, all of whom are considered low-income
According to an FCC news release on the grants, “Blessing Health System was chosen for its focus on delivering mental health services and remote patient monitoring to low-income patients in rural areas.”
“Blessing has long been committed to bringing healthcare to its patients, whenever and wherever possible, as opposed to always making patients come to the provider,” said Irshad Siddiqui, MD, executive vice president, Chief of Information Technology and Innovation, Blessing Health System.
“During the pandemic, our ability to provide convenient care access grew as telemedicine technologies became a vital and successful way of providing many types of care” he continued.
“Blessing’s new projects are an extension of its commitment to care access, and to the innovations that today’s patients, particularly those in rural areas, need to maintain and improve their health,” Dr. Siddiqui concluded.
Blessing’s two Connected Care Grant projects are expected to be operational by January 1, 2022.