About NRTRC

About Us

About Us

In 2017, Utah Telehealth Network (UTN) was selected by the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services to host the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC).  The NRTRC is part of the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers.  The NRTRC collaborates with 11 regional resource centers and 2 national resource centers to share information and resources.

National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers:

• 2 National Resource Centers
• Telehealth Policy
• Telehealth Technology Assessment
• 12 Regional Resource Centers
• Nation-wide consortium of TRCs

The NRTRC serves a seven-state region (AK, WA, OR, MT, ID, WY, UT) to advance the development, implementation and integration of telehealth through sharing information, leveraging resources, and creating a synergistic telehealth community.  The NRTRC draws on the experience of UTN, NRTRC Board Members, and that of our regional partners to assist healthcare providers and organizations throughout the region through technical assistance, tools and training. Representatives to the NRTRC board are located in seven northwestern states.  Our 14 board members are pioneers in the world of telehealth and several have influenced Telehealth policy and evolution on the national level.  

 

Mission

The NRTRC has a mission to advance the development, implementation, and integration of telehealth programs in rural and medically underserved communities.  The purpose of the program is to assist health care providers, organizations, and networks in implementing cost-effective telehealth programs to serve rural and medically underserved areas and populations.

NRTRC Services:

• Provide technical assistance, training, and support
• Communicate and disseminate information and research findings related to telehealth
• Foster regional and national collaborations to share knowledge and best practices

 

History

The Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC) was created in 2005 by a group of Telehealth leaders in the Region who came together to develop the network. They shared a vision and goal of advancing Telehealth in the Northwest. Representatives from 33 health care organizations in 8 states and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands worked to develop a collective mission and vision, create a Board of Directors, by-laws, and a consortium to advance the concept of a multi-state Center.

Two Board Members were elected from each of the states, and met regularly to identify common areas of interest and need, and to identify areas for collaboration. The region’s Telehealth networks possess a wealth of experience and expertise. Many are considered pioneers in the development of Telehealth networks and applications. Consortium members have influenced policy, such as reimbursement, licensure, credentialing, and have worked to eliminate barriers to the evolution of telemedicine and Telehealth. Two of our Board members are past presidents of the American Telemedicine Association, a great honor for us.

The NRTRC received funding from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) in 2006. This grant allowed NRTRC to employ a small staff that could focus on expanding NRTRC’s collaborative activities throughout the region.

In 2010, the NRTRC underwent a few changes and a slight size reduction when Hawaii and the US – Affiliated Pacific Islands formed a new Telehealth Resource Center, the Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center (PBTRC). This separation was logical because of the growing need for the islands to address their unique challenges and to expand their reach internationally. It also made calling a meeting a bit easier, as the original NRTRC spanned eight time zones. We now only have to worry about three!

In 2017, the Utah Telehealth Network (UTN) was selected to host the NRTRC for the next three years.  The previous host (St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation) determined that continuing as the fiscal agent for the NRTRC was not within their mission.  NRTRC offices are now located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

We specialize in:

• Information exchange through website and personal contact
• Educational opportunities
• Monthly NRTRC and National TRC Webinars
• Toolkits & Factsheets
• Annual Telehealth Conference
• Network collaboration opportunities
• Statewide Telehealth meetings
• Coalition building
• Research and reporting on Telehealth Issues
• Collaboration with National TRCs
• Coaching
• A rich social media atmosphere to share information in a wider arena
• Technical Assistance
• Linkages to a wide variety of Telehealth/Telemedicine organizations

 

Goals

• Expand the availability of telehealth services in underserved communities, 
• Improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of telehealth services, and
• Promote knowledge exchange and dissemination about efficient and effective telehealth practices and technology.
• Provide quality, unbiased Technical Assistance for the development and expansion of effective and efficient telehealth services in underserved communities.