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By Stew Kernan

Seven more hospitals have been added to northeastern Ontario’s Virtual Critical Care Unit.

Video conferencing technology from Health Sciences North here is Sudbury is used by critical care experts at smaller hospitals in the region.

Dr. Derek Manchuk is the project lead…he says it’s been up and running since last May and has been used for 110 patients with an additional 218 follow-up visits.

So far 40 patients have avoided a medical transfer by air ambulance at a savings of $680,000 to the health care system.

23 hospitals are now part of the Virtual Critical Care Unit with those in Iroquois Falls, Englehart, Hornepayne, Cochrance, Smooth Rock Falls and Hearstthe latest to join.