RUSH' Act Aims to Treat Seniors at Nebraska Nursing Communities Via Telehealth

Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska is sponsoring the Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalization (RUSH) Act to facilitate greater use of telehealth in skilled nursing communities in the state, reports NTV . "To have telemedicine in place to where an appropriately trained person at a nursing community can link up through telemedicine with a physician at a larger community in an emergency room, that information can be shared and most of time really address the needs of that senior," he said. The Burwell Community Memorial Health Center's Administrator Consultant Tim Groshans endorsed the RUSH Act. "We would like to see telehealth expanded to include the needed registered nurse oversight of skilled nursing facilities in rural areas," he said. "The ability to have a registered nurse available via telehealth, who also would have access to the electronic records, would be another enhancement to help improve resident outcome in skilled nursing facilities." Smith said the bill is still in committee, and he is hoping it can be passed with current COVID-19 legislation.