11th December 2008

AMD Global Telemedicine & Cherokee Health Systems collaborated to help launch a telemedicine program in 17 schools in Sevier County, Tennessee. In addition to this new technology, all Sevier County schools from grades Kindergarten through eighth grade now have a registered nurse.

The Sevier County School System, through a partnership with Cherokee Health Systems, announced the launching of the Sevier County Student Medical Assistance Response Team (S.M.A.R.T.) at the 17 schools in the district with elementary and middle grades. Telemedicine is a key component of S.M.A.R.T. Telemedicine is being used to connect the K-8 children of the school district through video imaging to medical providers (while those children stay at school). The telemedicine connection is a secure, two-way video link with the child and the school nurse on one end, and a medical provider on the other.

During a telemedicine visit, a child can be screened, examined, diagnosed, treated, and monitored. Special equipment gives the medical provider the ability to examine the child's ears, eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, etc. The ability to keep students in school to diagnose, rather than have them miss important class time is extraordinary in the eyes of both administrators and parents. This leads to more time in the classroom, overall better performance in class without worry of children falling behind and eventually a higher graduation rate. It's also very helpful for parents who can remain at work and not have to worry about losing valuable time to what can generally be very lengthy, time consuming doctor's appointments.

This newly implemented extremely efficient way to examine and diagnose student's ailments in schools is being very well accepted. The students think the whole concept is really neat. Telemedicine can be thought of as the newest and most non-conventional way to conduct medical examinations, and is definitely on the rise due to continuous advances in medicine and technology.

Steve Normandin, President of AMD Global Telemedicine, Inc. stated, "We are seeing a great deal of potential in telemedicine within school systems. It is the perfect setting for utilizing the conveniences and simplicity telemedicine offers. To help improving students overall performance in school, while still getting them the proper medical attention they may need is great and what school systems aim to do. It's about looking out for the best interest of the students. It's an ideal alternative for school administrators and staff, parents and of course the students themselves."

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