Cloverdale Schools introduces new telehealth system, health clinic

Kathleen Chelminiak, a project director for the Indiana Rural Health Association, demonstrates the TytoCare system after the opening of a new health clinic at Cloverdale Elementary School.

Banner Graphic/Brand Selvia

CLOVERDALE -- Culminating in a partnership between Putnam County Hospital and Cloverdale Schools that took shape about a year ago, local families and educators may now have more peace of mind.

With a ribbon cutting and a reception attended by town, hospital and school officials, a new health clinic at Cloverdale Elementary School was unveiled Thursday evening. However, it was the technology which will be used that makes it a first in Putnam County.

The clinic will utilize TytoCare, a telehealth system which can broadcast a health exam to others who are connected to the system. In this case, corporation nurse Tiffany Shields can look over a student and work in tandem with another physician.

Present for the ribbon cutting are (from left) Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Board President Beau Battin, Cloverdale Elementary Principal Mary Jane Elkins, Gary Nees, Meagan Montague, Arvel Hinton, Jane Litttiken, Corporation Nurse Tiffany Shields, Christon Pierce, Cloverdale Town Council President Larry Fidler, John Hall, Bryce Wray-Nelson, Donna Fidler, PCH Chief Executive Officer Dennis Weatherford, Cloverdale School Board President Vivian Whitaker, Kathleen Chelminiak, CNA Pam Wade, Joe Mann, Cloverdale High School Principal Sonny Stoltz, LPN Cristle Grove, Duane Huge, Superintendent Greg Linton, Cloverdale Clerk-Treasurer Cheryl Galloway, Town Manager Wayne Galloway, Cloverdale Middle School Principal Dawn Tucker and Cloverdale High School Assistant Principal Brent Sailor.

Courtesy Cathy Ames

The idea behind using the TytoCare system is so that another physician can be consulted without having to take the time to travel. Being able to communicate remotely also means that more focus is put on addressing a student’s needs - and figuring out how best to do it - right then and there.

Dennis Weatherford, the hospital’s chief executive officer, pitched the idea to the Cloverdale School Board last June. Before then, he had discussed the model with Superintendent Greg Linton to determine whether it would be beneficial.

“We hope that we can not only provide the baseline, but to exceed it,” Weatherford told the board. “I want it to be clear that we’re not doing this to get more visits in the hospital.

“It’s about taking care of students and our community, not about profit,” he added.

Kathleen Chelminiak, a project director for the Indiana Rural Health Association, and Shields demonstrated how the system records remotely with an instrument that can be used for three different exam points. The TytoCare system is based on an app platform to enable its connectivity.

The instrument can be used as a stethoscope, an otoscope and as a tongue depressor. However, vitals such as blood pressure and a pulse would be recorded by the examining health professional ahead of time.

The school corporation is contracted with Five Star Technology Solutions, which will manage IT for the new system. This is separate from the partnership between Cloverdale Schools and Putnam County Hospital, with Family Medicine of Cloverdale acting as an intermediary.

Cristle Grove, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) employed by the hospital, will still be based at Cloverdale High School’s own clinic. Additionally, Pam Wade, a certified nursing assistant (CNA), will work with Shields at the new clinic.

“It has been very exciting to get it started and to work with the hospital,” Shields told the Banner Graphic during the reception. “I really think it will be a good thing for our students.”

Shields added that health providers, like family doctors, connected through Putnam County Hospital can also see the exam with the app. Linton added that parents will be able to see a student’s exam through a weblink when the system is expanded in March.

A physician’s assistant (PA) would be regularly available at Family Medicine of Cloverdale, and can also come directly to the clinic if necessary.

Cloverdale School Board President Vivian Whitaker believed the clinic will better serve students and their families in ensuring they can get the help they need. For her, bringing in the technology helps those disadvantaged by socio-economic constraints.

“It’s a win-win for us and for the hospital,” Whitaker said. “We’ve increased services to our kids and parents, and I hope we can take the lead in having this technology be available county-wide.”

She added that the clinic’s setup meets the same standards as a clinic at the hospital. Indeed, the space was tidied up with new outlets installed to provide the needed power.

As part of establishing the new clinic, the clinics at both Cloverdale High School and Cloverdale Middle School were consolidated. Concerns were raised by community members last May after the school corporation eliminated two full-time nurse positions. However, Whitaker said they quickly found employment elsewhere.

At this juncture, the only financial commitment from the school corporation will be to compensate its health personnel. This is mainly due to a grant which Cloverdale and the hospital received from the Indiana Rural Health Association.

Weatherford provided to the board during the June meeting that insurance would be billed to those who have it. However, no student would have to be turned away for a clinic visit based on ability to pay.

It has been estimated that the school corporation could save at least $50,000 in its budget with the new clinic. While these savings may be a plus, providing the clinic is still about promoting the wellbeing of Cloverdale students.

“Student health is an important part of student success,” Linton said. “We appreciate the support from Fivestar and the hospital throughout the process, and I look forward to seeing the benefits this creates for our students.”