Emergency Medical Services: The Power of Telemedicine
Introduction
Emergency medical services (EMS) teams are often the first responders for patients having emergency health issues. When timing and accuracy are of utmost importance, they must be exactly sure of what each patient needs. Some medical events require expertise best provided by a specialist. Depending on the distance to a medical facility or emergency department (ED), patients rely on the treatments given in the ambulance or at the scene. Rural areas are especially challenging due to longer distances between patients and EDs. Delaying patients’ access to critical treatment can affect outcomes and recovery times.
PAVES Program
A partnership between Emory University and the Washington County Regional Medical Center (WCRMC), with a grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has produced the PAVES (Prehospital and Ambulatory Virtual Emergency Services) program. Spearheaded by Michael J. Carr, MD FACEP FAEMS, this program was designed to expand and improve the quality of emergency care for residents in Georgia, especially those in rural areas, to eliminate the access disparity and to bring it on par with emergency care in urban cities.
Telemedicine Brings Specialists to the Patient
PAVES brings EMS-focused telemedicine services to emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedic staff treating patients across Georgia. Ambulance staff can remotely diagnose, triage, treat, and route patients to the closest local care facility best able to care for the patient.
The Technology: Mobile Decentralized Paramedicine
The WCRMC hospital ED connects to EMS staff through rugged medical tablets mounted within the ambulances. The 313MD medical tablets from DT Research are antimicrobial, fanless, and military-grade rugged with responsive, robust sunlight-readable touchscreens for detailed imaging. The tablets have front and back cameras to capture video and images. An Axis M5075-G PTZ pan-tilt-optical zoom camera added in the ambulances provides a hands-free visual feed to clearly show patient status to remote medical personnel.
Improved Patient Outcome in Any Location
The PAVES program and mobile telemedicine system have not only improved patient care no matter the location, but they also bring other benefits. According to Michael Padgett, Director of EMS, WCRMC uses the mobile telemedicine system to fill gaps in practitioner availability. Now the hospital can connect the physician in the ED or any location to help, for example, EMS staff interpret an EKG or authorize them to initiate certain medications.
Conclusion
The PAVES program has demonstrated a path for other healthcare providers to expand and improve the quality of emergency care for all residents. By bringing in technology to create a decentralized mobile telemedicine system, they have leveled many of the disparities in medical care experienced in rural environments and during patient surge events.
FAQs
Q: What is the PAVES program?
A: The PAVES program is a partnership between Emory University and the Washington County Regional Medical Center (WCRMC) to expand and improve the quality of emergency care for residents in Georgia, especially those in rural areas.
Q: What is the purpose of the PAVES program?
A: The purpose of the PAVES program is to eliminate the access disparity in emergency care between urban and rural areas by providing telemedicine services to EMS teams and patients across Georgia.
Q: How does the PAVES program work?
A: The PAVES program works by connecting EMS staff with remote medical consulting teams through video and audio conferencing, allowing them to receive guidance and support from medical specialists in real-time.
Q: What are the benefits of the PAVES program?
A: The benefits of the PAVES program include improved patient care, reduced delays in treatment, and increased access to specialized care for patients in rural areas.
