Mobile, Ala. – A groundbreaking telemedicine clinic for high‑risk pregnancies opened this week at Mobile Infirmary Health System, linking local patients directly with maternal‑fetal medicine specialists from UAB Medicine in Birmingham. The service allows women facing complex fetal conditions or other high‑risk factors to receive expert care without the need for a lengthy drive to the university hospital.
How the virtual clinic works
Using a dedicated telemedicine cart equipped with real‑time ultrasound technology, UAB physicians can view sonograms live as Mobile Infirmary sonographers perform the scans. The specialists watch the images on a secure video link, discuss findings instantly with the sonographer, and then speak face‑to‑face with the patient through the cart’s camera and speaker system.
“We have a teledoc cart that comes with us that the doctor logs onto virtually, and he watches the scan as we scan, and then he can talk to the patient, be face‑to‑face,” explained Erica Vick, a sonographer at Mobile Infirmary. “He gets to see the ultrasound live, like a regular doctor in a clinic would be, and then goes over everything.”
Benefits for Mobile families
The new clinic keeps patients within the Mobile Infirmary network while still granting them access to the academic expertise of UAB’s maternal‑fetal medicine team. “This allows our patients to be able to stay in network with us and see the UAB physician here at Mobile Infirmary on our campus,” said Ashley Moore, director of women’s program development for Mobile Infirmary Health System.
For families, the model reduces travel time, eliminates overnight stays, and minimizes the stress of navigating an unfamiliar hospital system. It also helps preserve continuity of care, as local primary providers remain involved throughout the pregnancy.
Community impact
Mobile’s health leaders see the telemedicine clinic as a vital step toward expanding specialized care in the region. By leveraging technology, the partnership addresses a longstanding gap for high‑risk obstetric patients who previously had to travel over 100 miles to Birmingham for consultations.
Local physicians anticipate that the service will improve outcomes for both mothers and infants, as earlier specialist input can lead to more timely interventions and better management of complex conditions.
Future plans
Both institutions plan to evaluate the clinic’s usage and outcomes over the coming months, with the goal of expanding tele‑health services to other specialties. The success of this maternal‑fetal program could serve as a model for additional collaborations that bring university‑level expertise to Mobile’s residents.
Patients interested in the virtual clinic can contact Mobile Infirmary’s women’s health department for scheduling information and eligibility criteria.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
