Norton Healthcare & Madison Consolidated Schools bring telemedicine to students

Program allows a child to see a Norton Healthcare provider virtually from the school nurse’s office

MADISON, Ind. (Aug. 8, 2024) – Thanks to a $40,000 grant from the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, Norton Healthcare and Madison Consolidated Schools (MCS) will partner to offer virtual medical care to students at all six schools across the MCS system in Jefferson County, Indiana.

The Norton eCare School Telemedicine Program will allow MCS students to see a Norton Healthcare provider through a secure video visit from the school nurse’s office. Working together, the school nurse and Norton Healthcare provider will use special medical technology to examine the student, look at the child’s skin, listen to their heart and lungs, and check their nose, throat and ears. The nurse also can perform tests for strep throat, COVID and flu.

Common conditions that can be treated through a telemedicine visit include cold, fever, rash, earache, pinkeye and sore throat. After the visit, the provider will follow up with the parent and send an after visit summary home with the child. Any needed medications will be sent to the family’s pharmacy of choice.

“We are so very thankful for this opportunity to partner with Norton Healthcare to provide this service for our students and families," said Teresa Brown, superintendent, MCS. “We know families are busy, and sometimes there are barriers to care, so we are very excited to offer this option during the school day for those who may need it. Our school nurses will work with administrators to communicate with our families regarding the details of how the program will work."

“The goal is to keep children healthy, in school and learning,” said Rachel R. Alexander, DNP, APRN, manager of telehealth, Norton Healthcare. “Through the program, we can evaluate the child while at school and allow them to remain in class if possible.”

The Norton eCare Telemedicine Program launched in 2019 at three Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) elementary schools in Louisville, Kentucky, and expanded to all JCPS elementary schools in 2024. The grant from the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation will allow the expansion to Madison, Indiana.

“This program is a very strong statement to how it takes a village to care for children,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “Donors to the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation are making it possible to provide this type of care for children and their parents, making health care more accessible and convenient.”

The school telehealth visit is billable through the parent’s insurance plan or covered under Medicaid and Medicare. Copays are similar to an office visit. Parents must complete a registration form online to enroll their student in the program. Visit SchoolTelehealth.NortonHealthcare.org to enroll students.