Sen. Burns brings together Montana Medical Professionals to discuss Health Technology

Dozens of health care professionals from around the state crowded into Montana State University’s Burns Telecommunications Center Saturday to discuss a nationwide system that would make medical information available at the click of a button.

Health care officials as well as state leaders envision a system connecting hospitals and physicians with patient history instantly, saving time and hopefully lives.

Thelma McCloskly-Armstrong, director of the Eastern Montana Telemedicine Network said Montana in particular could benefit from a quicker system, especially when patients might be hundreds of miles away from their regular doctor.

"We have to deal with large distances," McCloskly-Armstrong said. She said the importance of getting a system started can’t be understated. "We’re talking about saving lives, we’re talking about saving money."

The meeting was mediated by Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., who said the discussion would help implement change on a state and national level.

"What you say here today will mean a lot," Burns said. He went on to say those at the meeting show real concern for Montana citizens. "I think what you see here is people who represent the medical industry, what they are concerned with is the patient."

by Brook Griffin

Full Story: http://burns.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Articles.Detail&Article_id=172