Dear Editor:

Bangor Daily News reports this week that, as of October 1, MaineHealth is axing the telemedicine “VitalNetwork,” which links small rural ICUs to specialized ICU physicians and nurses in Portland. TeleICU systems have been found to lead to fewer complications and deaths in other health systems.

What does this mean locally? By downgrading the ICU, and without such intensive monitoring, more seriously ill patients will no longer be able to be cared for in Damariscotta’s Miles Hospital. They will have to be transferred to Portland, away from their families and support, putting an added emotional and financial burden on patients and their families.

My prediction: This downward spiral of care becomes self-fulfilling, pushing MaineHealth to soon close Miles, which I believe is on their 5-year (or sooner) plan. If they get our CAH designation, there will be far fewer patients (only 25 beds for the whole peninsula), less ability to handle ill patients, less revenue ... oh, gee, wouldn’t it be better if everyone went to the Mother Ship? This new CAH just isn't sustainable.

Instead of robbing local folks, perhaps cost savings could come from executive salaries and bonuses.

We must do everything we can to stop LCH/MaineHealth now. Please support the The Boothbay Region Health and Wellness Foundation.

Judy Stone, MD
Boothbay Harbor