Milam County is getting a prototype telemedicine “pod,” in a project that’s been the subject of considerable hope since last year.
It’s just not going to be in Rockdale.
County commissioners last week okayed placing the pod—which will be first of its kind in Texas—at the Law Enforcement Center (county jail) in Cameron.
Dr. Joy Alonzo of the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center told The Reporter that, while the original plan was to place the pod somewhere on the campus of the former Richards Memorial Hospital, that location simply didn’t work out.
SECURITY—“We had envisioned something on a main street well-traveled both day and night,” she said. “It became obvious that just wasn’t going to be the case with the former hospital campus.
The facility will be open 24/7 and Dr. Alonzo pointed out, from a security standpoint, the county jail offered exactly the criteria needed for such an operation.
“It’s going to be in a very secure place, obviously,” she said.
If located on the former hospital campus, the “integrated healthcare station” would not be on a main thoroughfare—the county jail is on US 190/Texas 36—and would be the only open building for blocks once the CHISt. Joseph’s HealthPoint clinic closes for the day.
That clinic is located on the northwest side of the campus.
Milam County Law Enforcement Center never closes and is always staffed with law enforcement personnel.
Placement of the new pod has the full backing of Sheriff Chris White.
VITAL SIGNS—The pod starts working as soon as the patient enters.
The floor takes the patient’s weight and a temperature sensor, which is can work up to four feet away, takes the temperature.
Other vital signs—heart rate, blood pressure—are detected and then a health care provider appears on a two-way screen.
There’s even a way to look down a patient’s throat as the provider diagnoses the patient.
“We are hoping this will be a game-changer for rural health,” Dr. Alonzo said.
MEDICINE—The unit can even dispense drugs on the spot.
Another feature, of paramount importance in the COVID-19 era, the pod cleans itself with ultraviolet lighting before another patient enters.
“It is self-cleaning,” she said.
Goal is to provide medical care for counties, like Milam who have lost their health care facilities, especially “after hours.”
The initiative, nicknamed “Project Moonshot” after NASA’s Apollo Project, is being funded by a $10-million grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
First will come a demonstration phase,” she said, “We want to ‘show it off’ first.”
The pod is tentatively scheduled to open to the public in mid-June.
It’s being established at no cost to the county.
FUNDING—What’s the story on keeping the facility running?
“It’s up to the people of Milam County to use it,” Dr. Alonzo said. “We believe it can be self-sustaining, but people have to use it. That’s the key.”
She envisioned cost per-visit to use the pod as less than the typical copay on many insurance policies.
No firm price has been set but the range of $45 has been used in some conversations by county officials.
It’s also believed that sum may be turned in to insurance companies for coverage by individuals who visit the new facility.
EMERGENCIES—Many emergency organizations called for some kind emergency room to be the main priority after Milam hospitals closed last year.
Texas A&M Health Science enter is working on a grant-funded program to establish what amounts to a volunteer EMS service across the county when ambulances are all in use.
It’s envisioned the grant will fund a phone app and medical supply bags to first responders.
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