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The telemed conf. with Dr.Saffle saved us over 4500 miles,three diferent weeks off work, plus. We are very glad that we were able to use the service. Each conference we did, the pictures and audio got better,especially when the Dr. can remote the camera. It was also nice for the therapist, Daphne to see how the burn scar supports are still fitting . Thanks again for saving us the time/$/time/$/time/$

Tim Awbery, Montana

From the Deseret Morning News - 02/17/06

One of the biggest benefits for patients, besides stopping unnecessary disruptions in life to come hundreds of miles for care, is that after-care can be done that way, as well.

"It saved us financially," says Cheryl St. Marks, whose daughter, Cassidy, spent a month in the burn ICU three years ago. Cassidy was 16 when she was severely burned in an art class. They were making glass beads when a propane torch exploded. Cassidy took the brunt of it. Her arms and hands and her eyelids were all severely burned. She needed extensive skin grafting and intensive wound care. Once home again in Monana, thanks to Teleburn she didn't have to make trips every two or three months for follow-ups.

     I had the opportunity to participate in a telemedicine consult with Dr. Saffle on May 23, 2006. From my perspective the overall experience was very positive.
     As a rural Montanan I have participated in several video and/or audio conferences that can best be described as frustrating. This telemedicine consult was essentially seamless; it was as if Dr. Saffle was sitting on our unit, I half expected him to be able to reach through the TV and help us scrub the burn. The potential of being able to care for our pediatric population in our own community while havingn clinical expertise readily available is both exciting and awesome.
      Dr.Saffle provided both the staff at St. Vincent and the family with his expertise and compassion - even though we were separated by hundreds of miles we knew he cared about helping us help our pediatric patient. This was clearly evident to me when our pediatrician in Billings, Dr. Stevens was able to call Salt Lake City and set up a telemedicine consult with Dr. Saffle, within an hour.
      It was a great experience and a pleasure to work with Dr. Saffle. Thank you again for guiding us!

Sincerely
Stacy M. Handley, APRN, NP
Pediatrics

From Mr. Gard who resides in Kevin, Montana:
I estimate that without the medical expense, we saved about $1,475.00 by being able to utilize telemedicine for my burn care.
Drive time is 12 hours with a distance of 662.9 miles one way.
We saved a nights lodging, meals, gas, wear and tear on our car, and 3 days wages.

Thank you Dr. Morris.

From Mr. Mark Swank
In July 2006, I suffered burns to my hands, arms, and face while fighting a prairie fire. At the time, I was not aware that the local hospital had the ability to consult with the burn center in Salt Lake City via the telemedicine network.
I received treatment at a hospital in Billings and was frustrated after six months by the lack of progress. It was only after a surgeon in Billings recommended amputation of my little fingers due to complications of the burns that my wife found a reference on the internet to Dr. Saffle's grant to provide telemedicine to rural areas. We contacted the local clinic to see what was necessary for a video consultation. In just a few days, I had an appointment with Dr. Saffle from our local hospital, which is only 25 miles away.
I did have some surgery in Salt Lake City. Dr. Saffle has been able to follow my progress since then via telemed visits. Each visit saves several days away from work and 1800 miles of travel from my home in northeast Montana.
The telemed system is invaluable to those of us who live in rural areas and have limited access to medical specialists.

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