Rural healthcare systems continue to face significant disparities in access to specialty care, exacerbated by staffing gaps, aging infrastructure, and geographic barriers. Critical access hospitals, in particular, struggle to sustain 24/7 coverage and timely emergency responses. SynchronyMD, a telehealth provider specializing in hospitalist and critical care services, is addressing these systemic challenges through a partnership with OhmniLabs, a team of Symbotic. By integrating OhmniCare mobile telehealth robots into clinical workflows, the organizations have developed a scalable model that enhances clinician efficiency, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensures continuity of care for underserved populations.
The Challenge: Outdated Tools and Overburdened Staff
When SynchronyMD launched its telehealth program in 2023, the objective was clear: deliver high-quality, board-certified care to rural hospitals without increasing the burden on already strained staff. However, initial implementations revealed key limitations: traditional telehealth carts required nurses to transport bulky equipment, leading to delays in critical situations. Legacy telepresence devices had small screens and poor audio quality, creating frustration for both physicians and patients. Hospital administrators expressed concerns about potential workflow disruptions and patient dissatisfaction due to inadequate audiovisual clarity.
Dr. Qazi, SynchronyMD’s CEO, recalls initial skepticism: “Hospitals were concerned we might create additional challenges rather than solving existing ones. Nurses were already managing IVs and medication administration—troubleshooting devices was not a feasible addition to their workload. We needed seamless integration, not another task.”
The Intervention: OhmniCare Robots for Decentralized Care
Autonomous Navigation became a game-changer. Physicians remotely pilot the robots to patient rooms, nurses’ stations, and conference areas with a single click. Dr. Qazi highlights the efficiency: “I select a room number, and the robot tells me it’ll arrive in 30 seconds. It’s faster than walking—and far more reliable than relying on carts.”
Crisp Audiovisuals erased the distance between physicians and patients. A 360° camera and powerful speaker allow doctors to “stand” at a patient’s bedside, assess conditions in real time, and communicate clearly. Ja’Niene, SynchronyMD’s Operations Lead, shares a common reaction: “Patients often ask to take photos with the robot. They’re amazed by how lifelike it feels—like their doctor is right there.”
Reduced Staff Burden: Nurses no longer needed to operate cumbersome carts or troubleshoot connectivity issues. Instead, they could focus entirely on patient care while physicians managed the robots independently.
During multidisciplinary rounds, Dr. Qazi joined discussions via OhmniCare, seamlessly integrating into conversations about lab results, treatment adjustments, and patient care planning. “Initially, some staff questioned the role of the robot in daily rounds. Within weeks, it became second nature—physicians and nurses now engage with it as they would with an in-person provider,” he noted.
Med Surge Nurse Manager, Kali Waston, says,
“I cannot say enough positive things about the transition to having tele-hospitalist coverage. Before implementing tele-hospitalist coverage, our ER provider had to manage a busy ER while also addressing patient needs on the floor. Unfortunately, this often led to delays in responses or adjustments to orders. It was difficult until we added the hospitalist program.”
Implementation: From Pilot Program to Essential Service
SynchronyMD’s pilot at a critical access hospital in Fairfield, Iowa, showcased the robots’ versatility. The OhmniCare system now supports 24/7 nocturnist services, ICU checks, daily rounds, and family meetings. Physicians conduct rapid responses, review lab results at nurses’ stations, and even join end-of-life discussions—all through an intuitive, remotely controlled platform.
Key outcomes included:
- 50% reduction in STAT response times (4.2 minutes vs. 8.5 minutes pre-implementation).
- 90% of families rated telehealth consults equivalent to in-person visits in post-discharge surveys, citing “improved care continuity.”
- Program expansion: Coverage grew from 2 to 5 FTEs within 9 months, enabling service extension to a second rural facility.
According to Theresa Newbanks, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner at Jefferson County Health Center,
“The outcomes are so much better. Our patient satisfaction has improved so much, and the nurses really appreciate the support and feel heard throughout the night…They talk about the robots going down the hallway, and they all think it’s really super cool.”
Advancing Rural Health Equity
SynchronyMD’s model demonstrates how telepresence platforms can decentralize specialty care. Board-certified specialists, once limited to urban centers, now support rural ICUs and med-surg units. Nurses reclaim time previously spent managing technology, reducing burnout and turnover. As the model expands into cardiology and psychiatry, it is evident that telehealth robots are not a luxury but a necessity in modern healthcare.
Dr. Qazi emphasizes the broader impact: “We are not merely filling gaps—we are elevating the standard of care. Rural patients deserve the same level of expertise as those in urban hospitals. With OhmniCare, we are making that a reality.” Dr. Qazi will present this case study at the 2024 Society of Hospital Medicine Conference.
About SynchronyMD: A pioneer in rural telehealth, SynchronyMD is dedicated to providing innovative, value-based, telemedicine solutions to improve access to high-quality healthcare in rural or understaffed facilities. SynchronyMD partners with critical access and small to medium-sized community hospitals, clinics, and sub-acute care facilities. Learn more at synchronymd.com.
About OhmniLabs: OhmniLabs is a healthcare automation team within Symbotic, dedicated to developing innovative robotic solutions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Since our founding in 2015, we have deployed thousands of robots, improving lives in over 60 countries worldwide. With a USA-based manufacturing facility, we design, engineer, and build advanced robotics with unmatched usability and reliability. Learn more at ohmnilabs.com.
