Cleveland Clinic plans telemedicine initiatives

Here's more evidence that mainstream medical organizations no longer see telemedicine as a wait-and-see thing. The Cleveland Clinic has set plans to develop a line of business around at least two telemedicine initiatives.

According to Dr. Michael Modic, the Clinic's chief emerging business officer, the organization is looking into an eICU service--in which the Clinic will provide remote guidance to ICUs at other hospitals--and remote home healthcare services.

These two sectors are among the more mature of the telemedicine markets, according to Clinic research. About 17 percent of home health agencies use telemedicine, and about one-third plan to buy one within the next two years, according to a 2008 survey.

The market for eICUs, meanwhile, already boasts several players, including Baltimore's Visicu, which claims 200 hospitals and 40 health systems in 28 states.

Dr. Modic says the Clinic may also look into eRadiology initiatives, leveraging its Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

To learn more about the Clinic's plans:
- read this MedCity News piece

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