Completion of new fiber optic loop provides network
redundancy and enhances telemedicine capabilities at Sutter Coast
Hospital
CRESCENT CITY, Calif.,
Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
--Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR) and Oregon Health Network,
an OCHIN, Inc. Organization, today announced completion of a
broadband fiber optic network—made possible by the Federal
Communications Commission Rural Health Care Pilot Program—that
brings advanced capabilities for video telemedicine, broadband
Internet speeds and high definition television to customers in
southern Oregon and Crescent City, Calif.
The completed fiber optic network is the final segment of an
87-mile route from Grants Pass,
Ore. to Crescent City,
Calif. consisting of a 720GB circuit with capacity to
service thousands of people across multiple cities. It brings
high-speed Internet, phone and high definition (HD) television
service to numerous households and businesses, makes advanced
telemedicine possible and creates opportunities for businesses such
as call centers with heavy data applications. It also completes a
redundant, fiber optic loop connecting southern Oregon and northern California, establishing a more reliable
connection.
"The Sutter Coast project is an example of how bringing
broadband Internet, phone and HD TV service to rural communities
provides a way for businesses to expand and add jobs," said
Frank Antonovich, vice president and
general manager for Charter in Oregon.
The $1.6 million investment
included contributions from Charter, the Oregon Department of
Education High Desert Education Service District and the Rural
Health Care Pilot Program of the Federal Communication Commission
through the Oregon Health Network. This innovative project is
the first national model since the passing of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act and is a successful combination
of public and private investment.
"This collaborative effort to extend advanced technology to
communities we serve is part of our mission," said Abigail Sears, chief executive officer for
OCHIN. "Our vision is to extend quality healthcare to every
individual and to make a meaningful contribution in improving and
saving lives. We're proud of our relationship with Charter and
their team for helping us make it a reality."
According to David Itzen, county
commissioner with Curry County in
Oregon, "Access to high-tech
telecommunications facilities will jumpstart economic development.
It's thrilling to see this take place."
A new, 1GB circuit connects directly to Sutter Coast hospital with the capability to
transmit a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) X-ray in less than one
second or a pathological study—cardiologists working on an active
X-ray table—in about eight seconds.
"This speedy network connection ensures we stay current with the
latest technologies for our patients, and provides a way for us to
advance the critical healthcare services we already provide to this
community," said Linda Horn, interim
chief executive officer for Sutter Coast Hospital.
About Charter
Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading broadband communications
company and the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full
range of advanced broadband services, including advanced Charter
TV® video entertainment programming, Charter Internet® access, and
Charter Phone®. Charter Business® similarly provides scalable,
tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to
business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet
access, data networking, business telephone, video and music
entertainment services, and wireless backhaul. Charter's
advertising sales and production services are sold under the
Charter Media® brand. More information about Charter can be found
at charter.com.
About Charter Business
Charter Business, a division of Charter Communications,
Inc, provides business organizations with scalable, tailored,
and cost-effective broadband communications solutions, including
business-to-business Internet access, data networking, business
telephone, video and music entertainment services and wireless
backhaul. Catering to the unique broadband needs of business
customers, Charter Business offers competitively priced bundled
products over its state-of-the-art, fiber-based network, helping
businesses in a variety of industries maximize efficiency while
continuing to grow. Charter Business is Metro Ethernet Forum
Certified. More information about Charter Business can be found at
www.charter-business.com
About Oregon Health Network
Oregon Health Network (OHN), an OCHIN Organization, is a
member-based, nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality,
access, and delivery of healthcare to all Oregonians via a
variety of services to its 229 member facilities: enhanced
broadband connectivity, health IT best practices, hosted services,
and advocacy. A nationally top-performing Federal Communications
Commission Rural Health Care Pilot Program, (RHCPP), OHN was
founded in 2007. OHN's scalable and statewide broadband
infrastructure supports the coordination of care among Oregon's physicians, allied providers,
clinics, health organizations, educators, students, and government
agencies. For more information, visit
www.oregonhealthnet.org.
About Sutter Coast Hospital
The Sutter Health Story is We Plus You!
Sutter Health is a pretty big family! Actually, more than 50,000
of us-doctors, employees and volunteers-comprise our network of
care. Together, we share a partnership promise to create a more
personalized, high-value health care experience for you and your
family. It's called We Plus You. Take a look at how we're
partnering with you, communities and each other to make a positive
difference in more than 100 Northern
California cities and towns. Sutter Coast Hospital and
clinics represent the northernmost footprint of Sutter
Health. With a Hospital and clinics serving Del Norte County, California and Curry County, Oregon, they are the perfect
partners for this project. For more information, please visit
www.suttercoast.org.
About OCHIN, Inc.
Established in 2000 through a partnership with CareOregon, the
Oregon Primary Care Association, Multnomah County Health
Department, Clackamas County Health Department, and Virginia Garcia
Health Clinics, OCHIN became an independent nonprofit in 2002.
Headquartered in Portland, Oregon,
OCHIN is one of the nation's largest Health Information Networks
and is recognized for its innovative use of Health IT to improve
the integration and delivery of health care services across a wide
variety of practices. With an historical emphasis on safety net
clinics and small practices, OCHIN has expanded to include private
practice providers and specialists. To date, OCHIN operates in 17
states and supports 75 health center networks and over 4,500
medical providers who serve over 2.5 million patients. For more
information, visit www.ochin.org.
Media Contacts:
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
Jack
Hardy, Sr. Manager, Communications
Office: 360.258.5124 Cell: 360.216.6415 jack.hardy@charter.com
OCHIN
Ruby
Haughton-Pitts, Vice President, External Affairs
Cell: 503.784.2284 rhpitts@mac.com
SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
Beth A.
Liles, Executive Director, Communications
Office: 707.464.8688 Cell: 813.376.0579
lilesbe@sutterhealth.org
SOURCE OCHIN