Current Situation
First responders communicate via radio with emergency department (ED) personnel to convey the patient’s vital signs and health status while en route to the hospital.
Goals and Objectives
- Improve EMS communication and the real-time exchange of health information, including patient’s vital signs, diagnostics, ECG, and video, between EMS and emergency physicians.
- Accelerate the time it takes to diagnose and treat a patient.
- Triage patients to the appropriate care setting when EMS incident is nonurgent (e.g., patient’s primary care physician, clinic).
Technology Deployed
- Videoconferencing, mobile, cloud, and IoT
- Laptops, tablets, and smartphones, often ruggedized
- Secure text messaging
- Wireless data connectivity: 3G, 4G, and 5G, Wi-Fi, satellite, and military data radio
Use Case Summary
By extending telemedicine capabilities to EMS personnel, communications and real-time HIE are improved, accelerating the time it takes to diagnose and begin treatment of patients en route to the ED or triage patients with nonurgent issues who need an ambulance transport to the clinically appropriate cost-effective care setting.