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Tuesday, May 16, 2006
ER Communications: Commerical Solutions
Medical Personnel CommunicationOne interesting platform that I have come across is by MedLink Inc.
(Stud Health Technol Inform. 1999;64:93-107. "MediLink: a wearable telemedicine system for emergency and mobile applications." Koval T, Dudziak M. Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, USA)
Personnel in critical care or emergency situations have different needs from those working in other environments where telemedicine and mobile computing have been tested.
"One constructive criticism of the telemedicine initiative has been to question what positive benefits are gained from videoconferencing, paperless transactions, and online access to patient record."
Medlink offers a multipurpose mobile telemedicine applications, aiming to address the 'architecture' of the problem.
Transpac hardware
- A wearable personal computer with a smart-card interface
- Speech, pen, video input and wireless intranet connectivity.
- Structured and noise-resistant speech-to-text interfacing
- Web browser-like display
- Access through flatpanel, standard, or headset monitor,
- Beltpack TransPAC computer has functions of a complete desktop
- PCMCIA card interfaces for internet connectivity
- Secure smartcard with 16-bit microprocessor and upwards of 64K memory provides user access control for security, user custom configuration of applications and display and vocabulary, and memory to diminish the need for PC-server communications while in an active session.
"The TransPAC system with the MedLink software system is designed to provide an integrated solution for a broad range of health care functions where mobile and hands-free or limited-access systems are preferred or necessary and where the capabilities of other mobile devices are insufficient or inappropriate."
TransPAC is being implemented for EMT and ER staff usage.
Patient Information Control
MedLink also produces an 'Optical Memory Card'
Offers patients a portable, durable, high capacity storage device that can be appended but never erased for storing permanent medical history.
"Presently in use by the by the United States and other world governments, the technology embedded within the MedLink EHR card is highly counterfeit-resistant and tamper-proof, providing physicians and their patients added security and peace of mind."
_. Offers up to 4.1MBytes of digital capability
_. Store up to 1,430 pages of text or up to 465 images
_. Data can be updated thousands of times per card
_. Out performs other plastic material cards on durability & storage
_. Data can be appended, never erased
_. Automatically creates an audit trail of patient record updates & changes
_. Multiple layers of security protect data against unauthorized access
_. Most cost effective data storage card
_. Conforms to Industry Standards for optical memory cards and the Uniform Healthcare Identification Card (ANSI X3.284 1997)
Why Connect the Patient?
instant data entry (immediate admin and billing processing = receivables)
accessible (fewer redundant forms = patient satisfaction)
admin records (accurate data insurance eligibility = billable)
accurate data entry (reduced errors = administration costs)
accessible chart (fewer tests, faster accurate diagnosis = costs)
patient satisfaction (instill loyalty and marketing message to community = market share and revenues)
Reference
http://www.medlinkus.com/services.asp?p=memorycard
Anonymous at 8:02 AM