Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health uses new technology to treat South Georgia patients

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Children’s Hospital, Navicent Health is using new technology to have doctor visits with patients in other parts of the state.

A pediatric patient in Tifton had his first meeting via Telehealth Wednesday. It’s just like any other doctor visit, except the nurse practitioner uses a computer and a blue tooth stethoscope to treat the patient.

“It actually connects to a stethoscope that the nursing staff has at the remote location. When I listen I can hear the patient’s heartbeat, their lung sounds. They also have a remote camera for an otoscope we can look into the ears if we need to,” explained Nurse Practitioner Andrew Wheeler. 

Only pediatric patients with gastroenterology and endocrinology diagnoses are using the technology right now. Navicent Health hopes to expand the service in the future.