Intermountain Health Expands TeleOncology Services to Ensure That Rural Patients Can Access Care

Intermountain Health’s telehealth oncology services continue to expand throughout Utah to ensure patients throughout the state – especially those in rural areas – have access to the best care possible, regardless of their location.

Intermountain has added TeleOncology services to Intermountain Delta Community Hospital and is finalizing service at Intermountain Fillmore Community Hospital. With access to Intermountain TeleOncology services, patients will be able to receive the best possible treatment and comprehensive cancer care while staying closer to home. This service reduces travel time and expenses by allowing patients to interact with their caregivers from their homes or a nearby facility using a computer or mobile device.

“We are so excited to have the ability to perform cancer care right here in our community, close to home, said Kurt Forsyth, administrator for Intermountain Delta and Fillmore Community Hospitals. “Saving significant travel time for very sick patients is a big deal and helps in their treatment process.”

Intermountain Health’s Telehealth Oncology team uses proven platforms and state-of-the-art technology to help patients and their families through real-time visits, care planning, and follow-up exams.

Intermountain oncology specialists will collaborate with a patient’s local hospital and infusion clinics to consult on cancer care plans. Telehealth also allows the team of experienced cancer experts to coach providers at a patient’s location through many specialized procedures.

Dave Walker makes a 95-mile (one way) trip to a cancer specialty for bone marrow cancer treatment in Provo. Upon arriving, he has a five-minute visit to receive an injection for his bone marrow treatment and makes another 95-mile trip back home. He has had to make this trip seven days in a row every month for about a year.

Walker has cut down his commute and now drives 20 minutes from home to receive treatments at Intermountain Delta Community Hospital.

“The last part of the treatments, you get worn down and you’re tired. There’s been times I couldn’t drive myself. I’d have to have my daughter-in-law drive me to the appointment,” said Dave Walker. “I feel better coming down to Delta. It’s been way easier for me.”

“Having these services here in Delta saves patients and families so much disruption to their already disrupted lives,” said Cece Willoughby, Registered Nurse at Intermountain Health’s Delta Community Hospital. “I’m hoping to be able to reach out to all of those in need of these services and provide the treatments they need here locally.”

“It is so much nicer having this program down here because I don’t have to worry about the ride home for dad after his treatments in Provo,” said Rochelle Walker, Dave’s daughter-in-law. “He’s now saving about $400 from gas and three hours of his day. I hope everybody here in Delta can come.”

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a not-for-profit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.