Using wireless technology, heart murmur diagnosed remotely
Tuesday, November 3 was a big day in the history of telemedicine: a newborn baby's heart murmur was diagnosed remotely, in real time.
The patient was one of a set of triplets delivered at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, Nebraska. The baby’s pediatrician, Dr. Jayan "Dr. Jay" Vasudevan, became concerned during a post-natal examination and requested a consult from a pediatric cardiologist - the nearest of which was 115 miles away at the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha.
Using wireless video conferencing technology through a mobile camera device connected to an ultrasound machine, Dr. Jay was able to confer with specialist Dr. Scott Fletcher in Omaha, saving the cost and emotional strain of transporting the newborn. (Watch)
"If the diagnosis could be determined to be a mild defect, it would enable us to keep the family together in Norfolk and immediately eliminate the uncertainty of a potentially harmful heart defect," said Dr. Vrbicky, who delivered the child, "Without the telemedicine consult, there was a real possibility that the baby would have had to be transported either via helicopter or ambulance to Omaha at a very high cost."
Remote diagnoses and treatments are just some of the practical applications of telemedicine. Last month, New York-based Bassett Healthcare used a broadband connection to set up a digital mammography unit to serve rural areas.
At a time where everyone is talking about ways to reduce healthcare costs, policymakers may want to give telemedicine a stronger look.
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