Ridgecrest Regional Hospital (RRH) is a community-based organization that provides and promotes comprehensive, quality health care for the population of the Southeastern Sierra region of California. In order to provide a dynamic link to relevant health resources and access to NLM databases for the surrounding rural communities, RRH proposes to expand their existing web page and develop a Web-enabled Portal. This portal will provide internet access to Digital libraries to providers, patients, and the public. It will provide access to hih quality health-related information and education, with emphasis on the top health related illness in the region, including heart disease, malignant neoplasms, pneumonia, influenza, and cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, particular emphasis will be placed on regional issues such as rattlesnake bite treatment, Lyme Disease, Valley Fever, and the development of a data base of local resources of all facilities that carry critical needs medications and services for diseases throughout the Southeastern Sierra region. The long-term objective of this project, Southeastern Sierra Telehealth Network (SSTN) is to organize heath related information systems and provide access to it. Goals and activities proposed in this grant include: 1. To meet pre-established medical/health needs identified by previous needs assessment studies and include as clinical tools in the development of the portal. 2. To increase awareness and use of NLM services to health care facilities that have limited or no libraries. 3. To provide training to end users at participating sites so they can access current scientific and health related information resources provided by SSTN. RRH Clinicians and librarians will create and decide upon the content for the portal. Grant funds will be used to hire a web master to build the portal, upgrade computer technologies at participating sites and provide training. RRH will provide ongoing upgrades of the web page by their Information System Dept.
