Colorado Medicine Helps Children Around the Globe

(June 20, 1997) Denver, Colorado - An expanding universe of children and their parents are benefiting from the pediatric advice provided by an internationally acclaimed Denver Pediatrician using computer telephone integration. Barton Schmitt, MD is professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Director of the After-hours Call Center at the Denver Children’s Hospital.

The Parent Advice Line ™ developed by National Health Enhancement Systems offers unlimited access to medical advice and guidelines written especially for parents by Dr. Schmitt. Automated telephone messages provide information on over 300 behavioral and general health topics as well as access to guidance by registered nurses based on his pediatric algorithms. Today when Colorado parents call their pediatricians after office hours, registered nurses at the Medical Call Center provide professional advice and home care options as appropriate. Not only are physicians able to increase communications to patients, but the information disseminated is both timely and consistent..

FONEMED, based in Colorado Springs, realized the potential of this service to expand access to health care around the world and is offering assistance to children and adults throughout South America and the Caribbean. It is establishing joint ventures with leading local medical and telecommunications organizations. Because of varied and sometimes sparse medical availability abroad, especially in developing nations, the FONEMED call centers offer solutions that improve the health and quality of life for millions of individuals 24 hours a day.

Ken Bleakley, Managing Partner of FONEMED, notes "FONEMED is proud to be using communications, information technology and Dr. Schmitt's Pediatric guidelines to expand access to quality healthcare. The integration of computers, telecommunications and advanced medical information, developed in Colorado, offers the promise of a healthy future to millions of children around the world."  

FONEMED, markets and manages Medical Call Center Services (domestically and internationally) for health plans, schools, associations, businesses, and the US military. The call center provides 24-hour Nurse Triage and access to the largest fully-automated Audio Health Library in the industry.