Intensivists and Pulmonologists are in Short Supply Across the Country.

There isn’t sufficient availability of intensivists and pulmonologists and coverage across hospitals in America. There are several reasons for that:

  • A shortage of pulmonary physicians
  • As the population gets older, we find that pulmonary care needs increase
  • The average age of existing pulmonologists is going up. They’re approaching retirement.

This past year, the shortage was compounded by the substantial increase in number of patients requiring pulmonary care.

Access to Intensivist and Pulmonologist is Vital to Patient Care

What’s the value of Telemedicine in the ICU?

Tele-ICU companies, like Eagle, are responding to the shortage of intensivists and pulmonologists. The lack of critical care specialists, is straining hospitals across the country. An aging patient population, high-tech devices, and new diseases are compounding these challenges. This is certainly true for cardiovascular and pulmonary patients who require life-saving care, including those with COVID-19.

Many small rural hospitals have difficulty recruiting and retaining critical care specialists, often because there’s no vacation and weekend relief. This situation presents a serious challenge in providing consistent ICU care. Even metropolitan and suburban hospitals have difficulty keeping their ICUs fully staffed for these reasons.

Let’s examine the challenges hospital executives face in staffing their ICUs, and how telemedicine is the good news in this scenario.

What's the value of intensivists and pulmonologists in the ICU?

Remote intensivists and pulmonologists provide coverage at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center

HUTCHINSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER • KANSAS • ICU

Eagle’s Tele-ICU and TelePulmonology Programs Ease Staffing Concerns for Kansas Hospital

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center turned to pulmonology telemedicine to support its 18-bed ICU and 23-bed pulmonary care unit because of the shortage of intensivists and pulmonologists. This not-for-profit, 199-bed medical facility serves the health needs of more than 65,000 residents in Hutchinson and the surrounding area in rural central Kansas.

Key Benefits

Supports Onsite Clinical Team

Reduced Need for Transfers

Expert Care. Anywhere.

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