WASHINGTON – Cisco and UnitedHealth Group officials announced Wednesday that they would build a nationwide telehealth network to deliver healthcare services to rural and underserved areas.

The new “Connected Care” program combines Cisco technology with health resources from the UnitedHealth Group to expand physicians' reach and help mitigate disparities in healthcare delivery.

“Connected Care is the house call for the 21st century and is our latest innovation providing people with greater access to quality care,” said Stephen J. Hemsley, chief executive officer, UnitedHealth Group. “The combination of Cisco’s technology and our national health care resources will make it easier for people to receive care where distance has been an obstacle.”

The companies unveiled today on Capitol Hill the UnitedHealth Group Connected Care mobile clinic – an 18-wheel clinic showcasing the technology and connectivity available through the network.

“In developing advanced telemedicine technologies, we’re unlocking new possibilities for how patients can interact with doctors and medical staff. The in-person visit with a doctor is no longer the sole ‘gold standard’ method for delivering high-quality health care services,” said  Kaveh Safavi, vice president Global Healthcare Practice, Cisco Systems, Inc. “Instead, we’ve now introduced a new care at-a-distance health care delivery model that better connects people, information and processes into one continuum of care. This new technology-enabled delivery model will improve productivity and efficiency in health care while at the same time minimizing costs for access to quality care services.”

Officials also released the pilot results of Cisco HealthPresence, which combined video, audio, and medical information to help remote physicians evaluate employees at Cisco's San Jose, Calif. headquarters in October 2008. The project's goal was to determine its usefulness as an alternative to in-person doctor's visits.

Key findings of the pilot include:

• 97 percent said they were able to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals using the service.
• 98 percent said they were comfortable using the technology.
• 90 percent said they would recommend the service.

"It's clear that there is a global demand for better access to healthcare resources that can provide patients with the best possible care," said Kaveh Safavi, vice president of the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group's global healthcare practice. "Simply making more doctors available is often not possible. Cisco HealthPresence is an example of our innovative approach to developing technologies that improve the quality of the healthcare experience, simplify healthcare communications and connect patients with medical providers in a convenient and efficient manner."

Cisco, the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and the UK's National Health Service are testing Cisco HealthPresence at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland to provide a remote clinic experience for patients with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

"I had not expected patients to like it as much as they did – especially the older ones who are less familiar with technology," said James Ferguson, of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth. "I was gratified by the enthusiasm they showed, and many volunteered ideas about how HealthPresence could improve medical care in their community."

Cisco is planning to expand HealthPresence pilots to employees on other campuses around the United States.  Cisco and the UnitedHealth Group are also working to expand the provider network participating in the HealthPresence pilot to include specialists.

"Working collaboratively with regional healthcare providers and state and federal government organizations, UHG and Cisco believe that it is possible to extend the use of these kinds of solutions to communities throughout the United States," said Steve Rodgers, executive vice president of the UnitedHealth Group.

UnitedHealth Group officials also announced a partnership with Project HOPE, the international health education and humanitarian assistance organization, who will receive a Connected Care mobile clinic to help residents in New Mexico obtain health screenings and treatment. The program will have a focus on identifying and addressing diabetes and other chronic diseases.