Press Room

NOVA MEDICAL AND URGENT CARE CENTER
EMBRACES BENEFITS OF TELEWORK
Telework Consortium Pilot Program Plans Expansion of Teleworking Program
to Include Patient Care

HERNDON, Va. – Nov. 28, 2005 – The Telework Consortium, a nonprofit organization funded by Congress to discover, evaluate and demonstrate software, hardware and services to enable remote work and collaboration, today announced that one of its pilot programs, Nova Medical and Urgent Care Center, Inc. (Nova), will expand its use of teleworking to better serve its patients.

Apt to seek alternative methods in patient care, Nova will begin to use broadband technology as it rolls out its new Executive Wellness Program over the next several months. In doing so, executives will have a typical medical examination in one of Nova’s offices. Once the physicians have collected and reviewed the data, they will share the results using web-based video conferencing technology instead of requiring patients to return to the office for follow-up appointments.

Through the Telework Consortium’s pilot program, Nova has employed broadband technology that allows employees to telework from various locations within their offices or from home. During this time, the medical center has used software provided by Marratech, one the Consortium’s technology partners, and learned how the benefits of telework can be applied to all aspects of business.

“Telework has greatly improved the quality of life for both my staff and me,” said Dr. Grace Keenan, medical director, Nova Medical and Urgent Care Center, Inc. “The decision on whether to use telework for patients hinged on if it would interfere or enhance the experience for patients. After evaluating it thoroughly, I know telework will strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. I look forward to using the technology to help my patients, their care and quality of life.”

“Since its inception this spring, I have seen firsthand how Dr. Keenan embraced telework to boost productivity and improve its employees’ work-life balance,” said Dr. William Mularie, chief executive officer, Telework Consortium. “I’m thrilled to see Nova taking the next step and leveraging broadband technology to enrich patient care.”

In addition to Nova, other pilot programs of the Consortium are Amendment One publications and Loudoun County, Va. Government.

(Click here for PDF of this press release.)