Cox Monett Hospital has partnered with Bryan Health, a premier provider of telemedicine services, for its hospitalist program for evening and weekend hours coverage.

Advanced technology allows doctors to see, hear and speak with patients and their family members. The technology also allows providers to perform clinical examinations via a monitor with the bedside assistance of nursing staff.

“CoxHealth rolled out the telehealth hospitalist program last year to Cox Barton County Hospital, and their patients just couldn’t say enough good things about their high-quality online care experience,” said Darren Bass, president of Cox Monett. “Based upon that positive feedback, we knew we wanted to expand this innovative model of care here to our hospitalist program, and just like we thought, it’s receiving rave reviews by staff and patients. I think the best part is we are now able to keep more and more patients close to home – where we know they want to be.”

Hospitalists (physicians who care for hospitalized patients) have always been present at the hospital during daytime hours, just as they will continue to be. They will also continue in the ER, where an in-person physician is present 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“For rural hospitals, technology is the key to growth,” said Bass. “We are already utilizing telemedicine in a variety of ways, including telestroke care, prenatal care, and other specialties. The possibilities are endless for what telemedicine can do, especially access of care for people living in communities like ours who may not have the means or resources to travel.”

During the daytime, inpatients at Cox Monett are seen in person by Dr. James Cliff Ganus and Teresa Jolley, physician assistant.

Cox Monett launches telehospitalist program, allowing more patients to stay close to home