Rural Hospitals Face Telehealth Service Cuts

Dartmouth Health plans to cease its Tele-ICU and Tele-ED services, a decision that will affect five Vermont hospitals and potentially others across the region. Audra Burns, a spokesperson for the New Hampshire-based health network, stated that the "costs, at our current scale, without external support, are simply unsustainable." These remote services connect rural hospitals with specialists at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, aiming to improve care, reduce mortality rates, and minimize patient transfers.

Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, which utilizes the Tele-ED service, confirmed it was notified of the closure last Friday. This service provides guidance from emergency physicians, a crucial support for rural hospitals where staffing may consist of physician assistants or nurse practitioners. While Grace Cottage's CEO called the partnership "a really valuable partnership," the hospital's chief medical officer expressed surprise, noting they had no prior indication of the impending closure.

Dartmouth Health reported a $63.5 million operating deficit in May, attributed to rising expenses. This financial pressure is driving the evaluation and eventual closure of these telehealth programs, which are vital for rural critical access hospitals but often lack sufficient scale or external funding to remain viable. Dartmouth Health has committed to working with affected hospitals to ensure alternative arrangements are in place before the services are finalized.

Despite these changes, Dartmouth Health emphasizes its commitment to providing care across its service region, even during challenging financial times. The network acknowledges that sustainability will require "changes and new approaches" to its care models. The closure of Tele-ICU and Tele-ED services highlights the ongoing financial strain on rural healthcare providers and the delicate balance required to maintain essential specialized support.