Access to timely, high-quality healthcare remains a challenge for students in public schools and patients relying on Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Geographic distance, limited availability of specialists, and gaps in immediate care access often result in delayed treatment and unmet health needs; especially in underserved communities.
Two leading healthcare organizations (one a major urban public health system, the other an academic medical center), sought to close access gaps for the vulnerable populations they serve.
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The urban public health system is responsible for delivering care to a broad network of schools, supporting nurses and staff across over 200 sites.
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The academic medical center collaborates with multiple FQHCs to deliver specialized care to rural and low-income communities.
THE CHALLENGE
These organizations faced similar but distinct access challenges:
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In Schools: School nurses frequently encountered urgent medical situations where provider input was needed immediately. With over 200 schools under care, there was no centralized system for connecting frontline staff to medical professionals in real-time.
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In FQHCs: Providers often struggled to secure timely specialist input for complex cases. Referral backlogs and care delays negatively impacted continuity of care, particularly for patients in rural areas.
Both organizations needed a solution that would:
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Enable rapid, secure video consultations
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Integrate with their existing EHR and clinical workflows
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Scale reliably across large, distributed care environments
THE SOLUTION
ExtendedCare delivered a purpose-built telehealth solution tailored to the unique needs of each organization.
1. School-Based Telehealth
The public health system deployed a real-time teleconsult platform that empowered school nurses and staff to:
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Instantly initiate video visits with medical providers for emergency or acute situations.
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Reduce unnecessary student transfers or missed care opportunities.
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Provide parents peace of mind through timely clinical evaluation and intervention.
2. Specialty Teleconsults for FQHCs
The academic medical center integrated ExtendedCare into its FQHC network, allowing:
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Real-time collaboration between community-based clinicians and academic specialists.
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Streamlined workflows for dermatology, psychiatry, and other high-demand specialties.
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Reduced patient travel and faster treatment planning.
3. Seamless Integration
ExtendedCare’s platform was integrated into both systems’ EHRs and digital infrastructure, ensuring:
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Minimal disruption to clinical workflows.
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High adoption by frontline staff.
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Centralized reporting for performance metrics and program evaluation.
RESULTS & IMPACT
This health system achieved:
Broadened Access to Care
The program extended healthcare services to thousands of students and rural patients who previously faced barriers to timely treatment. School-based consultations were conducted within minutes, while specialty care in FQHCs became more accessible and efficient.
Faster Clinical Response
School nurses reported faster triage and fewer care escalations. FQHC providers noted significantly reduced wait times for specialty input, resulting in more confident and timely decision-making.
Improved Health Equity & Outcomes
These initiatives contributed to measurable gains in care continuity, reduced travel burden for patients, and improved engagement from families and communities.
Scalable Innovation
The telehealth solutions proved highly scalable, with both organizations exploring further expansion into behavioral health, chronic disease management, and family education.
LOOKING AHEAD
Through ExtendedCare’s secure and scalable telehealth platform, both organizations have demonstrated how digital innovation can bridge longstanding healthcare access gaps. This case study underscores the power of virtual care to support equitable, community-based health solutions that deliver real-world impact.