General Surgeons pictured (l-r) Marcus Torgenson, MD, Michael May, MD, Edward deTar, MD, Timothy Quinn, MD and Robert Holman, MD.
collaboration without having to leave home,” Jon Ness,
Kootenai Health CEO, said. “Our two organizations
share the same commitment that health care should be
provided close to home whenever possible.”
Mayo Clinic established the network about four years
ago for like-minded organizations that share the
goal of improving the delivery of health care in their
communities. Kootenai Health is the 30th member of the
Mayo Clinic Care Network and the first and only in the
Pacific Northwest.
“By having access to more than 4,000 clinicians and
scientists in the Mayo Clinic system, Kootenai Health
patients will have the opportunity for their local physician
to tap into another body of medical expertise,” said
David Hayes, M.D., medical director of Mayo Clinic
Care Network. “This additional resource may help
patients avoid unnecessary travel for additional medical
opinions.”
This collaboration is in no way a merger or acquisition;
rather, it is a collaborative relationship aiming to
connect specialists as they consider the care needs of
their patients. Mayo Clinic believes the right direction
is to share their knowledge and resources with others
so more people in more places can benefit. Criteria
for membership include a mutual interest in the
commitment to patients and a focus on excellence;
two things that have always been a priority for Kootenai
Health.
Mayo Clinic Care Network services provide physicians
with new tools and resources in specialty areas where
Mayo Clinic’s knowledge and expertise may be helpful.
Although patients are not seen or treated by Mayo Clinic
doctors, their physicians at Kootenai Health will be able
to consult directly with Mayo specialists about complex
cases and best practices. These extra resources are at
no extra cost to the patient. These services include:
●
eConsults:
eConsults allow Kootenai providers access
to medical consultation on patient cases with Mayo
specialists. These provider-to-provider consultations
are done electronically and offer collaboration on
complex cases while allowing the patient to be seen
by their local provider.
●
eTumor Boards:
Kootenai Clinic’s cancer services
already hosts monthly or biweekly tumor boards
for multidisciplinary discussions among Kootenai
physicians, but with the assistance of the Mayo Clinic
Care Network, these forums can open to include the
nation’s leading experts via videoconference.
●
AskMayoExpert:
This web-based information system
makes information compiled by Mayo Clinic experts
readily available for all Kootenai staff. Whether it be
on an office computer, iPad or iPhone, providers
will never be far away from useful resources, patient
education materials, continuing medical education
credits, and much more.
“Kootenai is proud to be the first in the Pacific Northwest
selected to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network,” Jon said,
“They look to build relationships with organizations that
share a common philosophy, commitment and mission
to improve the delivery of health care to their community.
This is a very positive and beneficial relationship. It can
only enhance the care we provide to patients in northern
Idaho.”
COMMUNITY REPORT
