Description of Services
UAMS e-Link is one of the nation’s largest telemedicine networks, boasting over 25 years of experience in telehealth. It is a consortium of healthcare providers that connects rural community hospitals and medical and behavioral health outpatient clinics to specialists through advanced telemedicine technology. This connection enables patients in underserved areas to access essential care. By selecting items from our Service Packages list, you gain membership privileges in the UAMS e-Link Consortium. Below is a detailed list of the services we offer.
Telemedicine Platforms
Cisco WebEx Collaboration Suite: This consists of the cloud-based WebEx account offering. Details are available upon request.
Cisco Meeting Server: This is a privately hosted (at UAMS) collaboration tool. Details are available upon request.
Customer-Owned or Provided Equipment Registration
Customer furnishes their own telemedicine cart or room system for registration to the UAMS e-Link network.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Access to over 400 healthcare and education sites throughout Arkansas
- Access to ~1,000 endpoints
- Access to point-to-point and multi-party interactive video connections
- HIPAA-compliant security and encryption
UAMS e-Link Portal
The UAMS e-Link Portal is a virtual care extension of the EMR that facilitates video encounters, specialty referrals, on-demand queues, and patient self-service scheduling. It integrates with existing legacy endpoints and provides easy interactions wherever the patient may be.
Learn more about the UAMS e-Link Portal
Virtriage
Virtriage is a comprehensive digital solution that provides asynchronous services for modern virtual care delivery. With its branching logic feature, healthcare organizations can create customizable online triage interviews and patient forms that direct patients to the appropriate points of care. Virtriage intuitively guides users through the interview process and allows organizations to score responses effectively, streamlining patient intake, marketing campaigns, patient feedback, and more. Its mobile-first design ensures compatibility on any device, allowing patients to engage with virtual care wherever they are. Learn more and request a quote here.
Service Packages
Telemedicine Cart / * Room System / Desktop Units
UAMS e-Link provided telemedicine carts have integrated cameras, displays, and allow network access to help bring subspecialty care to patients in your facility as well as continuing education for your staff. Desktop units feature a 23” touchscreen and webcam. You may connect it to your PC or Mac to share content in meetings or use the unit as a display. Video technicians are available 24/7 to track and manage the telehealth system to ensure the highest quality customer support.
The following features are available:
- Access to over 400 health care and education sites throughout Arkansas
- Access to ~1,000 endpoints
- Access to point-to-point and multi-party interactive video connections
- HIPAA-compliant security and encryption
- 24/7 access to remote on-the-spot connectivity support
Equipment Delivery/Installation/Training
UAMS Video Technicians will schedule the delivery and installation of the telemedicine cart(s) with the site’s IT staff. When the installation is complete and the cart is registered to the e-Link network, Video Technicians will provide training on basic cart and CODEC functions, describe troubleshooting techniques and how to engage video support.
The specific deliverables of this service:
Cart function and technical training on how to
- Power on and off
- Move the work surface up and down
- Lock and release wheel locks
- Pull and retract the cable reels
CODEC function and technical training on how to
- Make and receive a video call
- Change from PC connection to laptop connection
- Control the pan/tilt/zoom camera
Two Trainings/year
Each organization is entitled to two free training sessions per year. We recommend that you identify one or two “super-users” among your staff who can provide training to other staff members.
Additional Onsite Training
Further training on UAMS e-Link provided or supported Hardware, Software, and Peripherals is available at an hourly fee.
Additional Remote Training Session via Interactive Video (IAV)
Receive training remotely by using interactive video equipment, which will connect trainers and trainees through real-time technologies.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Telemedicine equipment training
- Clinical assessment tools training
- Discussions of successful telemedicine programs and strategies
Customer Furnished Equipment
Customers furnish their own telemedicine cart or room system for registration to the UAMS e-Link network.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Access to over 400 health care and education sites throughout the state
- Access to ~1,000 endpoints
- Access to point-to-point and multiparty interactive video connections
- HIPAA compliant security and encryption
- 24/7 Technical Support available
Telehealth Utilization Reports
Telehealth utilization reports allow members to assess the adoption of telemedicine in their organization and provide documentation of healthcare encounters required for reimbursement. These reports help identify which Systems/Cisco Meeting accounts are getting the most use, duration of encounters, outgoing and incoming calls, and many other variables. This valuable data can help sites evaluate their bandwidth and equipment needs.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Site-specific detailed reports of equipment usage (available in monthly, quarterly and annual intervals)
- Documentation of encounter (date, duration) for reimbursement
Supported Software & Service Packages Add-ons
UAMS e-Link Supported Software Platforms (customizable according to your organization’s needs). These products are affordable options for software-based collaboration and telemedicine tools that utilize computers and/or mobile devices to allow interactive video for clinical, educational, and administrative purposes. This option requires a broadband/cellular connectivity device and an accessible camera and microphone.
The following features are available:
- One-year software license with included support
- Ability to make calls and share presentations
- HIPAA-compliant security and encryption
- Software tutorial and training
- 24/7 remote technical support
Peripheral Options
Clinical assessment tools such as digital stethoscopes and scopes for ENT, dermatology, ophthalmology, audiology, women’s health and general examinations have enhanced the delivery of patient care in a telemedicine setting. These tools are provided based on availability.
Among the clinical assessment tools available are:
- Digital Video Scopes: Easy-to-use hand-held video systems used for capturing images of the body. These systems can use interchangeable attachments making them ideal for multi-discipline medical applications.
- Digital Stethoscopes + Live Streaming: These sophisticated transducers provide clinicians the ability to amplify heart murmurs and lung sounds. These devices help convert acoustic sound waves to digital electronic signals, which can then be amplified, processed and manipulated in various ways. With appropriate licensing, this includes streaming the audio in real-time to remote participants.
Event IT Support
Our event team will work directly with your event coordinators to understand the scope, deliverables, and desired outcomes of the event related to audio-visual, network requirements, and interactive conferencing/live streaming. This enables us to communicate and facilitate the technical requirements and outcomes to the conference center staff hosting your event.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Conduct connection test runs before the event
- Monitor event to trouble-shoot, as needed
Custom Product & System Design/Implementation Projects (request quote)
Our team of video technicians and product/system design teams will work directly with you and your designated points of contact to strategize around current issues/problems/needs.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Assess physical and technical requirements of space
- Review needs specific to telemedicine systems/kits, telemedicine rooms, software and/or application development
- Formulate a design estimate for review
Other Services
Advisory Team Services
The UAMS e-Link’s team of experts specializes in assisting health systems, community hospitals and academic medical centers with a variety of services related to the development, management and implementation of telehealth and telemedicine programs.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Development of clinical templates
- Technical selection and implementation
- Billing-related to telemedicine
- Staff requirements for telemedicine delivery
- Strategic and financial planning for telemedicine
- Disclosures and Consents
- Recommend appropriate contracts
- Guidance on evaluation development
- Development of Broadband services
Site Assessment
Determining readiness is an initial step to assure a successful telemedicine program. Before implementation, the UAMS e-Link Advisory team will conduct a site assessment.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Evaluate the physical space being made available for telemedicine equipment and its optimal placement
- Make recommendations for placing network drops
- Determine if bandwidth is sufficient
- Make recommendations for the most effective use of telemedicine equipment
GO LIVE! Implementation Facilitation Team
UAMS e-Link understands that launching a telemedicine clinic or consultation for the first time can be stressful. Even the most organized and enthusiastic clinicians can become discouraged when problems arise during their first telemedicine encounter–such as audio/visual latency, difficulty manipulating clinical assessment tools, or reassuring an anxious patient to see a healthcare provider over video.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- A team of telemedicine experts will guide the originating site (where the patient is located) and/or remote site (where the consulting health care provider is located)
- GO LIVE team will help troubleshoot any unforeseen logistical/technical complications
Telehealth Program Development
UAMS e-Link extends a wealth of telemedicine knowledge through the Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. A state-of-the-art Training Center was established to serve Arkansas and others developing their telehealth programs. Telemedicine eliminates barriers to quality care and by enabling telehealth access in all rural communities, patients around the globe can seek specialized care no matter their distance from the nearest tertiary center.
The Adam D. Rule Training Center provides technological assessment and advisement on appropriate telehealth technologies for organizations interested in expanding or establishing telehealth systems. The IDHI can assist health organizations successfully and efficiently branch into distance health addressing multiple ideas and platforms. Visitors may choose from the below menu of telehealth topics. Each visit is tailored to the needs of the visitor(s). General overviews are free to participating Arkansas groups; however, there is a fee for in-depth training. Out-of-state groups are also welcome. Sessions are designed for 1-7 participants for a half-day up to two full days. For a general estimation of fees, see the pricing schedule below. The fee is dependent on the detail level and time required to explore the selected topic. The UAMS e-Link offers a free 30-minute telephone or video consultation to aid potential visitors in their decision.
UAMS e-Link Consortium Services
FCC/USAC Filing Services
UAMS e-Link assists its qualified Consortium members in applying to receive Rural Health Care Connect funding for eligible telecommunications/broadband services, cyber security and network equipment. UAMS e-Link will work with your organization to obtain the necessary information to complete, submit, and track forms to determine FCC/USAC eligibility. If deemed eligible, as a member of the UAMS e-Link Consortium, you could qualify for USAC funding resulting in substantial savings for items such as networking equipment, SIP services, broadband internet, Wide Area Network connectivity and other eligible USAC products. A full list of USAC eligible products/services is available upon request.
Requests for equipment and services purchases must be submitted through the UAMS e-Link website on the Request Information tab at UAMSelink.com.
Cost: 10% of the cost-savings per USAC filing, 10% of the total final cost per circuit for USAC ineligible entities
Consortium Benefits:
- UAMS e-Link charges only10% of cost savings per filing; For USAC ineligible entities, 10% of the total final cost per circuit.
- 65% flat-rate discount on all USAC eligible expenses
- 50-70% vendor discounts for businesses operating broadband, telecom, and network equipment
- Fixed broadband cost for three (3) year period with options for two one (1) year extensions
- Sustainable bandwidth for EMR deployment, Health Information Exchange, administrative centers (billing/appointments), and data centers (managed services)
USAC Eligible Criteria:
The health care provider (HCP) must be a public or nonprofit entity. Each HCP site or location is considered an individual HCP. Each site must show that by itself, it is an eligible entity. The HCP must be one of the following entities:
- Post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction (teaching hospitals or medical schools
- Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
- Local health departments or agencies
- Community mental health centers
- Not-for-profit hospitals
- Rural health clinics, including mobile clinics
- Dedicated emergency room of a rural for-profit hospital
- Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
- Broadband connections associated with off-site data centers and administrative offices used by eligible HCPs
Examples of Eligible USAC Expenses:
- Bonded T1
- Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
- Ethernet
- Fractional T-1
- Frame Relay
- ISDN
- ISDN BRI
- ISDN PRI
- Managed Ethernet
- Managed MPLS
- MPLS
- Cable, copper (HCP own)
- Cable, fiber (HCP owned)
- Fiber Network Transport Equipment
- Fiber – Dark
- Fiber – Lit
- Fiber – Lit Recurring Costs
- Firewall (HCP owned)
- Firewall (leased)
- Maintenance Contract (3-year)
- Managed Services
- Managed Network Services
- Managed Video Services
- Network Maintenance
- Professional Services
- Network Management Service (Consortium site premises)
- Network Server (HCP owned)
- Network Server (leased)
- Network Server (warranty 3-year)
- Network Switch (HCP owned)
- Network Switch (leased)
- Network Management Services (HCP premises)
- Routers (HCP owned)
- Routers (leased Optical Network Equipment)
- Switches (HCP owned)
- Switches (leased owned)
- Wide Area Network (WAN)
- Wireless Equipment (HCP owned)
Learn more about e-Link consortium member USAC benefits
Additional Services
Call Center Triage / After-Hours Access
UAMS e-Link offers its members access to a partnering center that provides clinical triage for patients through their providers for a range of clinical issues. We staff the Call Center with nurses who specialize in patient triage while also extending support in facilitating emergency transports to the nearest, most appropriate hospital. Sometimes, the Call Center can also connect callers to specialists who can offer support through phone and interactive video.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Access to Call Center triage services between 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., Monday-Friday (weekdays) and from Friday 5 p.m. to Monday 8 a.m. (weekends).
- Transcription of triage data taken during the call and subsequent transmission of data to the caller’s associated medical facility.
UAMS e-Link LIVE (Language Interpretation through Video Exchange) Services
Language interpretation is currently offered in Spanish with more languages to be integrated as need is identified. This service allows a live interpreter to join your patient consultation by video or phone to offer support for patients with limited English proficiency, interpreting both the provider message and the patient response. Written translation services are also available. Broadband connectivity and interactive video equipment are prerequisites to accessing the interactive video portion of this service.
The specific deliverables of this service:
- Access to trained staff to provide scheduled or impromptu language interpretation through interactive video or telephone during normal business hours (subject to staff availability.)
LearnOnDemand – Free online professional education courses
The LearnOnDemand.org education portal allows health care providers to get continuing education credit for completed online modules. On-site help with registration is available for hospitals and clinics in Arkansas. LearnOnDemand.org can be accessed 24-hours a day, 7-days a week from any device with internet connectivity, including mobile.
For further information about these or other services available, please email us at UAMSelink@uams.edu, call 501-526-6933 or complete the Request for Information form.