Hospital excels

Congratulations to Grande Ronde Hospital for the national award it received as the Outstanding Rural Health Organization of 2009.

The hospital was recognized by the National Rural Health Association for what’s known as “remote presence technology’’ that puts patients face to face with medical experts nationwide. GRH, in association with St. Alphonsus Medical Center of Boise, has been on the cutting edge of this innovative telemedicine program.

The national association lauded GRH for the “scope of (its) accomplishments in rural outreach,’’ much of which related to GRH’s willingness to try and then build upon the capabilities of the digital age as it pertains to health care delivery.

The bottom line is that the technology allows patients at GRH to be seen — literally seen — by specialists hundreds or thousands of miles away. The technology means that patients don’t always have to be flown out by air ambulance to see specialists, that through technology and robots the specialists can be part of tests and procedures via online transmission.

The award recognizes a hospital that is willing to venture into uncharted territory, to find out how to use it and to excel. Good job, Grande Ronde

Hospital.