Newton, Kansas has a population of just under 20,000, but providing patients with specialty services that wouldn’t otherwise be available means significant travel. For NMC Health, that also meant less than ideal circumstances for patients requiring a higher level of care and transfer.
That changed with the successful launch of teleNephrology in the summer of 2024 when NMC Health expanded specialty care. In January 2025, the success of the launch resulted in adding telePulmonary and Critical Care services in partnership with Access TeleCare. NMC Health Medical Center now provides critically ill patients with 24/7 access to board-certified pulmonary and critical care specialists from Access TeleCare.
How Tele-Pulmonary and Critical Care Works
Using secure, high-resolution telemedicine technology, NMC Health’s on-site care teams can connect with Access TeleCare’s pulmonary and critical care specialists within minutes. This ensures that respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians have immediate access to expert consultation, helping them diagnose and treat even the most complex critical care cases — without delays or unnecessary transfers.
“Access TeleCare prides itself on working with forward-thinking hospitals to enhance the delivery of clinical excellence locally,” said Dr. Chris Gallagher, CEO of Access TeleCare. “NMC Health is exemplary in its commitment to patient care, and the addition of telePulmonary and Critical Care to their services will only enhance the level of care and commitment patients can expect to get from their local hospital.”
Reducing Transfers, Specialty Critical Improving Care Experience
The addition of telePulmonary and Critical Care highlights NMC Health’s commitment to delivering advanced, high-quality care to keep patients close to home. Now, patients requiring ICU care — including mechanical ventilation, congestive heart failure, serious infections, and other life-threatening conditions — can receive specialist-guided treatment without needing to be transferred to another facility, whether that’s 30 miles away to Wichita or 125 miles to Topeka.
“It’s part of our ongoing commitment to deliver high-quality, comprehensive medical care that helps our community access the best of healthcare close to home,” said Heather Porter, chief nursing officer at NMC Health.
A Growing Partnership for Specialized Care
This expansion is part of NMC Health’s proactive approach to ensuring its community has access to specialized, life-saving care without the barriers of distance or specialist shortages. By leveraging telemedicine, NMC Health continues to enhance its ability to manage high-acuity patients efficiently and effectively.
With the increasing demand for critical care specialists nationwide, telemedicine partnerships like this one play a crucial role in bridging care gaps, optimizing ICU resources, and improving patient outcomes.
Want to learn more about how telemedicine can expand your hospital’s critical care capabilities? Click here.
