Ochsner Health was awarded $999,996 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as part of Round 2 of its COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Ochsner will use the grant to fund Connected Health’s remote monitoring devices which support and deliver digital care to a range of patients – from pregnant mothers to others with chronic diseases, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. This is the second round of funding the FCC has awarded Ochsner Health through the competitive program, bringing the total to nearly $2 million.
“Connected Health is revolutionizing our ability to reach and care for patients beyond our walls. These funds will further strengthen our digital health program, enhance our ability to meet patients where they are and, ultimately, improve clinical outcomes,” said Warner L. Thomas, president and CEO, Ochsner Health. “We are grateful to the FCC as well as our congressional delegations in Louisiana and Mississippi for recognizing the significant role of digital medicine in healthcare accessibility. This investment is a positive step towards our vision of creating a healthier state for all we serve and directly addresses barriers that impact the health and livelihood of our communities.”
With more than 22,000 patients receiving care through its Connected Health program, more than 10,000 of which received smart devices at no cost, Ochsner Health has established itself as a national leader in digital medicine.
Ochsner has also leveraged Connected Health programs to minimize risks of COVID-19 exposure for another vulnerable population: expectant mothers. Through Ochsner’s Connected MOM (Maternity Online Monitoring) program, pregnant women have been able to interact with their care team digitally, reducing the number of in-person visits. Connected MOM patients can digitally send weight and blood pressure readings to their medical teams.
This funding from the FCC will help Ochsner provide these state-of-the-art tools for free to many more expecting mothers across Louisiana and Mississippi, engaging patients and improving outcomes, Gillispie-Bell noted.
Digital medicine has also allowed Ochsner to serve patients after natural disasters, including recent Hurricanes Laura and Ida, which caused catastrophic damage to the communities along the Gulf Coast. Ochsner provided free virtual urgent care and behavioral health visits to those impacted by the storms and set-up digital healthcare hubs in community health centers.