FOR RELEASE: June 23, 2006

GALVESTON, Texas — For more than a century, the University of Texas Medical Branch has served Galveston and the State of Texas. Since 1994, UTMB physicians have used telemedicine to treat patients as near as next door and as far away as the South Pole.

Now, for the first time, and continuing every weekend this summer, UTMB is “beaming” a physician to the Island’s West End to provide much needed access to non-emergent medical care.

The UTMB Electronic Health Network, in partnership with the City of Jamaica Beach and the Galveston County Health District, have created West Isle Telemed (WIT), a clever solution to weekend medical care on Galveston’s West End.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekend at the Jamaica Beach City Hall Public Services Building, 16628 San Luis Pass Road, patients can seek treatment for basic medical needs such as colds and flu, jellyfish stings, minor burns, rashes, earache and any other basic medical need. A clinic visit costs $50—cash, check or charge.

Assisted by a paramedic, the physician exams the patient remotely using a telemedicine cart equipped with medical devices and a video screen for a face-to-face, real time consultation. The proven UTMB telemedicine technology system allows the doctor to deliver an immediate diagnosis and to prescribe any necessary medications.

“We needed a way to offer care and, at the same time, bring relief to our already over-burdened medical facilities and emergency services,” said Jerry Mohn, president of the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association.

During the summer, nearly 80 percent of all emergency calls come from the West End and most occur on the weekends, Mohn said. “But not all the calls fit the criteria to be considered ‘real’ emergencies.”

Faced with no other options and the very real need for non-emergent medical care, area leaders believe West Isle Telemed is the remedy they’ve long sought to bring high-quality, low cost basic medical care to the West End during its busiest season.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Public Affairs Office
301 University Boulevard, Suite 3.102
Galveston, Texas 77555-0144
www.utmb.edu