Gundersen Lutheran is bringing neonatal telemedicine service to Decorah

(Left to right): Janet Ryan, MD, Gundersen Lutheran - Decorah; Kathryn Richmond, MD, Gundersen Lutheran Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (on the monitor); Kurt Swanson, DO, Gundersen Lutheran – Decorah; Kristy Schilling, MD, Gundersen Lutheran – Decorah; and Matthew Thompson, DO, Gundersen Lutheran – Decorah.

Gundersen Lutheran and Winneshiek Medical Center are teaming up to install neonatal telemedicine services at the hospital.

"Our new neonatal telemedicine link allows a Gundersen Lutheran neonatologist (a physician trained to care for critically ill newborns) in La Crosse to examine the newborn and consult with the physician in Decorah via a video hookup. The neonatologist helps to decide whether the newborn needs to be transferred or if the local physician can safely treat the newborn in Decorah," explains Gundersen Lutheran – Decorah Clinic doctor Janet Ryan.

Gundersen Lutheran neonatologist Dr. Suzanne Toce says that while this doesn't mean that there is a neonatal intensive care unit in Decorah now, it does give Gundersen staff in Decorah additional tools and a higher level of consultation to get the newborns the care they need. "In the past Gundersen Lutheran neonatologists in La Crosse could consult with the providers in Decorah about a baby's condition but we couldn't actually see the baby. With this new neonatal telemedicine service, we can see the baby, listen to the baby's heartbeat with a telemedicine stethoscope and make better decisions as to whether the baby needs to be transported or if we can work with the provider in Decorah to treat the child. This is a win-win for everyone involved."

"The Telemedicine unit provided by Gundersen Lutheran will enable Winneshiek Medical Center  obstetrics staff to provide eyes and ears for newborns here for those times when a newborn has special needs after birth or during their hospital stay," comments Denise Duffy, Obstetrics Nurse Manager and Lactation Consultant at WMC. "This is an example of collaboration between Gundersen Lutheran and Winneshiek Medical Center which will benefit our patients, staff and community."