Kootenai Health,of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, has joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
It's the first health organization in the Pacific Northwest to join the network, whose members get access to Mayo expertise through several avenues. In return Mayo gets an undisclosed subscription fee and access to a wider pool of patients, although there's no obligation for members to refer patients to it.
It's a fast-growing national network that "includes 30 member organizations that are interested in working with Mayo Clinic to improve health care delivery by sharing knowledge and promoting collaboration between physicians."
Started in 2011, the network gives members "access to Mayo Clinic's knowledge and expertise when these additional resources will be helpful, allowing many patients to avoid unnecessary travel for answers to complex medical questions."
Member health organizations, which remain self-owned, get access toe-consults "to allow network physicians to connect electronically with Mayo Clinic specialists when they want additional input regarding a patient's care." They also can use "AskMayoExpert." It's a service that gives rapid information on "disease management, care guidelines, treatment recommendations and reference materials for a wide variety of medical conditions."
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An "eTumor Board Conference" connects physicians to help them share information and manage complex cancer cases with a multidisciplinary Mayo panel.
Kootenai Health has served northern Idaho and eastern Washington for nearly 60 years, according to a Mayo announcement. It offers general medicine and emergency care, cardiology, oncology, behavioral health, women's and children's health, orthopedic surgery and other services.
"The community-owned hospital currently has 254 beds and continues to grow," the Mayo announcement says. — Jeff Hansel
