WWAMI Rural Telemedicine Project

Driggs, Idaho

Introduction to the Community

Driggs is located in Teton County which lies in the southeastern portion of Idaho along the Grand Teton mountain range, approximately 70 miles east of Idaho Falls. Driggs is the county seat with a population of approximately 1,000. It is situated in Idaho's prime potato growing region. Agriculture is the base economy, though recreation and tourism are growing in importance with Grand Targhee Ski Resort as the anchor.

The residents of Driggs are isolated by severe weather during the winter months which limits their ability to traverse a high mountain pass to facilities in Jackson, Wyoming. In the other direction-toward Idaho Falls, they must travel miles of desolate landscape.

Medical Services: The Facility

Teton Valley Hospital was constructed through a WPA project in 1939, and has been owned and operated by the county ever since.

Hospital Services:

Ambulance Anesthesia Arthroscopic Blood Bank Cardiac Stress Testing Electrocardiology Emergency Medicine Nursing Home Care Emergency Medicine Fluroscopy General

Home Health Hospice Laboratory Laparoscopic Surgery Mammography Medical Nursery Obstetrics OB/GYN Orthopedic

Pharmacy Physical Therapy Pulmonary Function Testing Respiratory Therapy Social Services Surgery/Same Day Surgery Speech Therapy Ultrasound Urologic

Medical Services: The Staff

Active Staff

Larry T. Curtis, M.D. (Chief of Staff) - Family Practice

David P. Rakel, M.D. - Family Practice

Timothy Zerger, PA-C (Physician's Assistant) - Family Practice

Sally Luke, ARNP (Nurse Practicioner) - Family Practice

Steve Haws, PA-C - Family Practice

Darin Kerr, D.D.S. - Family Dentistry

Louis Parri, MSW - Counseling

G.L. Snowden, ME-D - Counseling

Carol Taylor, MSW - Counseling

 

Consulting Staff

William Fogarty, M.D. Jackson, Wyoming - Pathology

Health Care Statistics

Based on data from American Hospital Association Guide to the Health Care Field 1996-97 Edition.

Beds: 13

Admissions: 302

Census: 3

Outpatient Visits: 20,095

Births: 37

Indicators of Isolation: Why Telemedicine?

General/traumatic surgery is referred to St. John's Hospital in Jackson, Wyoming, 45 miles to the east. Cardiac/neurosurgery is referred to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, 70 miles to the west.

The residents of Driggs are isolated by severe weather during the winter months which limits their ability to traverse a high mountain pass to facilities in Jackson, Wyoming. In the other direction toward Idaho Falls, they must travel miles of desolate landscape.