Advanced imaging, telemedicine crucial to revival of rural Idaho hospital

It's pretty simple: if a hospital doesn't have enough people in the area it serves, it closes down. While the population flight from rural areas has stabilized from its 2008 peak, those residents likely aren't coming back soon—meaning hospitals must retain the patients they serve. 

Brad Huerta, CEO of Lost Rivers Hospital in Butte County, Idaho, didn't want Lost Rivers to become another statistic. To revive the flagging hospital, he invested in technology: telemedicine, cloud-based medical records and advanced imaging.

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As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Will covers radiology practice improvement, policy, and finance. He lives in Chicago and holds a bachelor’s degree in Life Science Communication and Global Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He previously worked as a media specialist for the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Outside of work you might see him at one of the many live music venues in Chicago or walking his dog Holly around Lakeview.

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