The Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network is an interactive video and data network that provides integration among the hospitals, public health departments, public health laboratories, State offices and other entities across the state of Nebraska.  Nebraska is not the first state to develop a telehealth network; however, the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network is unrivaled in scope by any other state telehealth network.  Today over seventy hospitals, nineteen public health departments and six bioterrorism labs are connected to the Network.  

What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is the use of communications technology to extend health care resources to those in need. The Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network utilizes communications technologies, especially interactive videoconference systems, to connect rural patients to clinicians, provide increased access to educational opportunities and support administrative meetings that allow professionals across the state to collaborate.
Additionally, the network is designed to bring together invaluable resources to improve the readiness of the State to deal with terrorist acts and threats, naturally-occurring disasters and issues of public health concern by allowing instant communication between the Lt. Governor, the Chief Medical Officer and physicians, hospitals, public health departments and public health laboratories across the state.

How Does It Work?
The NSTN is a hub and spoke model whereby rural and metropolitan hospitals and public health departments are connected technologically to "hub" sites (large hospitals) throughout the state, which are in turn connected to one another. This connection allows any point in the state to connect to any other point through interactive video. The system can also be used to transmit images, such as x-rays.
How do Clinical Consultations Work?
If the local practitioner determines that a patient needs specialty care, the patient, via the telehealth network, can access a specialist at another site from their community health care facility. Health care professionals can perform physical examinations through the system, using specialized cameras, electronic stethoscopes and other medical peripheral devices. Patients should contact their local practitioners for more information.

How Can I Access Health Care Educational Opportunities?
There are many educational opportunities offered via telehealth now and we expect these offerings to grow exponentially in the future. You can access a full calendar of activities at www.netelehealth.net. If you are interested in a program, please contact your local telehealth coordinator. He or she can let you know if it will be available at a site near you.

Where Can I Find Telehealth?
There are over 100 telehealth sites in Nebraska to meet the clinical, educational, administrative and research needs of our healthcare system. These sites include hospitals, public health departments, State offices, laboratories and other sites. For more information, check out the "Partners and Organizations" portion of this website or the “Sites” portion of the www.netelehealth.net website. Here you can learn more about the facilities that work together each day to help increase access to care for Nebraskans across the state!