The Challenge
New Mexico is a vast state – the fifth largest in the U.S. But it has one of the smallest populations, ranking 36th with slightly more than 2.1 million people. In 2022, New Mexico also had the highest poverty rate in the nation at 17.6%. In 2024, it ranked 50th in education.
THE CHALLENGE
The challenges faced by the citizens of New Mexico in their everyday lives roll into complexities in their access to healthcare, said Dr. Mike Ruma, head of fetal medicine and maternal health at Perinatal Associates of New Mexico.
PROPOSAL
Perinatal Associates went with technology from vendor Philips called Collaboration Live, software available on a variety of the company’s ultrasound systems.
MEETING THE CHALLENGE
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in the beginning of 2020, Perinatal Associates implemented Philips Collaboration Live on each of its 40 Philips EPIQ Elite ultrasound systems. All MFM physician staff began to conduct visits remotely from Albuquerque to any of the 13 clinic locations throughout the state.
RESULTS
Perinatal Associates of New Mexico has been able to expand its rural outreach without stretching its staff too thin. It has provided critical access to perinatal care in numerous areas throughout the state that have lacked this care for years.
ADVICE FOR OTHERS
"My advice would be to continue to use telemedicine and advocate on its behalf so we can continue to provide unique care in communities that otherwise will go unserved," he continued. "The power of telemedicine and tele-ultrasound cannot be understated. The acceptance and desire of patients to interact with healthcare professionals using this technology also is unabated."
CONCLUSION
In 2020, Perinatal Associates of New Mexico completed 5,000 visits using telemedicine and tele-ultrasound. In 2024, it completed 20,000 telemedicine and tele-ultrasound visits. The numbers tell the story, Ruma concluded.
FAQs
Q: What were the challenges faced by the citizens of New Mexico?
A: The challenges faced by the citizens of New Mexico in their everyday lives roll into complexities in their access to healthcare, said Dr. Mike Ruma, head of fetal medicine and maternal health at Perinatal Associates of New Mexico.
Q: What was the outcome of implementing Philips Collaboration Live at Perinatal Associates?
A: Perinatal Associates of New Mexico has been able to expand its rural outreach without stretching its staff too thin. It has provided critical access to perinatal care in numerous areas throughout the state that have lacked this care for years.
Q: What is Dr. Ruma’s advice for others?
A: "My advice would be to continue to use telemedicine and advocate on its behalf so we can continue to provide unique care in communities that otherwise will go unserved," he continued. "The power of telemedicine and tele-ultrasound cannot be understated. The acceptance and desire of patients to interact with healthcare professionals using this technology also is unabated."
