GMC Implements eEmergency Technology Open House Scheduled for December 15th

Glendive, Montana, December 2, 2014 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) will host an open house to reveal the implementation of eEmergency Technology on Monday, December 15 from 4p.m. to 6p.m. in the GMC Emergency Department. 

"Given our remote location, it is vitally important to provide emergency care. The addition of eEmergency will be of great benefit to our patients, as it elevates the level of care that we can support in our ED-where we are able to give better care in our community and keep patients here because we have a great team standing right beside us at all times," Parker Powell, CEO, said. 

eEmergency is part of Avera eCARE, a suite of innovative technology applications developed to improve patient safety and support rural health care. 

The equipment was purchased with a $287,469 grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. 

The technology gives physicians immediate access to specialty care 24 hours a day. It ensures that board-certified emergency physicians and emergency-trained nurses are available to assist providers at GMC in treating trauma, heart attack, stroke and other critical conditions. It will be especially beneficial for accident victims, as eEmergency will allow GMC to diagnose and treat more patients close to home, improving outcomes, reducing stress and eliminating the risks and costs associated with travel. 

Powell shared that the biggest challenge at GMC is the limited number of providers. "Recruiting physicians to this remote part of the country is overwhelmingly difficult. The physicians we do have are stretched very thin. 

Each time our Emergency Department has to call a physician, it takes them away from their other job, which means leaving one patient's bedside to go care for another. Having immediate connection to emergency specialists will be wonderful for our patients," he added.

For more information on GMC, please visit www.gmc.org. For more information on the Helmsley Charitable Trust, please visit www.helmsleytrust.org.