ST. PAUL, Minn. – Visiting with a doctor online is one of the biggest trends in health care and, as more Minnesotans turn to these virtual visits, some employers are now offering the services as well.

At Marvin Windows and Doors in Warroad, Minn., workers with minor medical concerns can access a real-time video visit with a doctor on their smartphone or computer from anywhere – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The company's wellness specialist, Katie Marvin, says they've also installed a kiosk on-site, so employees can link up with a doctor while at work.

"During a visit, you're able to discuss your situation or symptoms and get the advice you need from a licensed doctor and even have a prescription sent to your local pharmacy," Marvin explains.

The kiosk is soundproof and has equipment to check blood-pressure, temperature, weight and pulse. It also has a special camera that can allow the physician a closer look at a bump, rash or other physical symptom.

Marvin is convinced that offering these virtual doctor visits should help both the company and its employees save time and money. She adds it's an especially important benefit to companies like hers, in a fairly remote location.

"With limited options to access care, there are many times, depending on the time of the day, when the emergency room is the only option," says Marvin. "So, we're trying to reduce unnecessary ER visits by providing an alternative."

Marvin is one of three companies in the state thus far to offer a virtual visit kiosk through Online Care Anywhere, a program of Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Minnesota.

BCBS Vice President of Product and Marketing Matt Marek says the positive aspects of virtual visits include affordability and convenience.

"It advances all of the consumer's wants and needs," Marek says. "On the other side, for the doctors and providers, it allows them to connect with consumers in a very efficient way that also allows them to leverage downtime. So, if the office isn't full, they can also log on and serve members, so they can have a full schedule throughout the day."

Marek notes that five years ago, BCBS of Minnesota was the first company in the continental United States to offer what is often called "tele-medicine" through Online Care Anywhere. Five years from now, he predicts it will be commonplace, expanding into such areas as specialty care and care management.



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This is National Health Center Week, highlighting the dedication of people working in 1,400 Community Health Centers across America - including 260 rural centers in Tennessee.

Some 423,000 Tennesseans receive medical care from Community Health Centers.

Marlita White, CEO of the Hardeman County Community Health Center, said they see patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

She noted that this week is significant, as a chance to show the critical roles the Tennessee clinics play in improving the health and well-being of their communities.

"They do that through a variety of impactful strategies and services," said White. "In many ways, they do it with improving access to care - addressing health disparities, enhancing preventative care, promoting maternal and child health, integrating behavioral health, community engagement."

More than 31 million people across the country - many of whom are uninsured or underinsured - get medical care each year from a Community Health Center.

Some locations also provide dental care and mental health services.

White explained that, in recognition of this week, Hardeman County Community Health Center has planned a variety of activities - each day with a different theme.

"We have something planned each day," said White. "We're going to kick it off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, because we are opening up a women's and children's facility here in Hardeman County. And for the Healthcare for Homeless, we're going to go to a shelter here and provide food for those individuals in that shelter."

White said her Community Health Center serves three rural locations - Hardeman, Chester and Haywood counties.

In 2020, the center received a transportation grant, to provide rides for people to get to their medical appointments.




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They may sit empty right now, but high school athletic fields and gyms will soon be active with practices for fall sports ramping up. Health advocacy groups in Minnesota hope more schools are being proactive in preparing for a cardiac emergency.

Each year, according to the American Heart Association, about 23,000 children 18 and younger experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Many states are adopting laws requiring schools to have response plans in place, either for sporting events or in the classroom - but Minnesota isn't among them.

Dale Wakasugi, owner of My AED and CRP Solutions and a volunteer for the American Heart Association of Minnesota, is a former Minnesota high school referee who experienced cardiac arrest during a game several years ago.

"Several people came to my rescue, including a 16-year-old high school student who had just learned CPR," he said. "Her and several bystanders came out and did two rounds of CPR - no response. They put an AED on me, one shock, and brought me back."

Wakasugi, who is now a certified CPR trainer and sells life-saving devices, said he hopes his story inspires school districts to train staff and have the right equipment onsite until Minnesota requires such planning. Supporters of a bill tried to get it passed last session, but there was some pushback over certain language. Backers hope to get the differences sorted out next year.

Minnesota law does require CPR training for students, and Wakasugi said that, as a whole, the state is among the leaders for survival rates. Still, he said, it's important to keep raising awareness, especially among younger people.

"That's why there are several foundations out there now trying to encourage screening for high school students," he said.

Health experts have said sudden cardiac arrest among young people is rare. But Wakasugi and other advocates say detecting issues ahead of time can prevent a tragedy on the court, in the field or in the classroom. Officials say the preparation that could be required can be standalone guidelines, or merged with a school's existing emergency response plan.

Nurses with an expired union contract in Oregon are holding an informational picket on Friday. Negotiations on a contract with Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport started in April, but the two sides have yet to reach a deal. The nurses are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association. Their contract expired on June 30th.

Brook Clark, a registered nurse at the hospital and member of the union, wants Samaritan to bring its pay up equal to other Samaritan hospitals. Clark also noted that about a quarter of staff are traveling nurses.

"That cost is really going to eat into our budget as an organization and that cost is going to eventually trickle down to our patients and our community," she said.

Traveling nurses are paid more than local nurses. The Oregon Nurses Association notes Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital is one of the most profitable hospitals in the state. A bargaining session takes place on Friday. The nurses have also an informational picket planned for Friday. Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital CEO Lesley Ogden says the talks are on the right path and he hopes they'll agree to a package "that is competitive in our market and will help Samaritan retain and attract the best nurses to care for our patients and the communities we serve."

Clark says housing, child care and other living costs are higher in Newport, and added that the hospital has struggled to stay fully staffed at times.

"Even with the travelers, we still have very regular holes in our staffing that are due to the fact that we can't recruit and retain nurses out here on the coast," she explained.

Clark added the nurses at her hospital do the same work as other nurses in the Samaritan system and their wages should reflect that.

"It really comes down to just the principle of things. It comes down to treating our nurses equally, fairly, and treating us with respect," she said.

Nurses at Samaritan Albany General Hospital reached a deal with their managers on a new contract earlier this week.