Naslov
Telemedicine between private ENT practice in medical center Makarska and ENT Department Šalata

Autori
Glušac, Branko ; Klapan, Ivica

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Abstracts of the ..... ; u: Telemedicine journal and e-health 9 (2003) (S1) / - , 2003, 104-105

Mjesto i datum
,

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
telemedicine; Medical center Makarska; ENT Department Šalata; otorhinolaryngology

Sažetak
Sophisticated telemedicine systems introduce multimedia communications in medicine, and modern medical care represents the cornerstone of the civilized society. It is usually carried through existing network of medical institutions on primary, secondary and tertiary level. Availability and timeliness of medical protection in remote rural areas, far from modern medical centers, significantly determine the overall health system quality. The basic goal of our telemedical connection with ENT Department Šalata in Zagreb, is to achieve safer diagnostic and surgical procedures using new computer and medical technologies in telemedical ENT consultation. From 1998-2002, we are given the ability to communicate immediately with our ENT colleagues/rhinologists in Zagreb from geographically dispersed location (Makarska), or within the same location (in Makarska), thereby sharing the important medical data in any form (2D-CT, volume rendered models of the operation field, live endo-video movies in real time, etc.). Implementation of telemedicine systems is about to raise existing medical standards significantly, in order to provide faster and more efficient medical services and to achieve a long-range cost decrease ultimately. Our telemedicine system supported us, a complete audio/visual communication facilitating fast and reliable diagnose and therapy setting up. This is achieved by a direct physician-patient- physician (expert) communication and immediate transmission of diverse laboratory findings, RTG, ECG, CT, MRI, -models, live video and other medical data. High-quality visual contact allowed us, if needed, a physician/expert to remotely examine the patient, who will be covered with specialized medical care. This is of a great importance in emergency cases when fast and correct evaluation of patient's condition is crucial (i.e. FESS). Our ENT division, located in remote, small medical center Makarska, was able to contact eminent medical experts/rhinologists from Zagreb, thus having the opportunity to improve our practical and scientific skills. The realization plan for video communication segment has been worked out in accordance with defined requirements of the medical branch, from the perspective of functional characteristics that a telemedicine system has to fulfill. The plan encompasses analysis of present state and proposes a phase-divided solution for our telemedicine project (ADRIATIC-TELE-DOC), with regard to links, telecommunications and videoconference equpiment. During the plan development a close attention has been payed to find an economic acceptable solution able to support high communications standards set by a modern telemedicine system. For this reason, initial phases of system realization are completely based on ISDN service of Croatian Telecom. The main advantages that proposed video communication segment assures to the telemedicine system are flexibility and scalability. In that sense, the system architecture is fully open for upgrades and seamless migration towards new generation telecommunication systems based on IP/ATM technologies. Therefore, all possibilities have been considered and future directions of the system development set, in order to implement an overall Croatian Integrated Telemedicine System (CITS). Finaly, the use of telemedicine systems in our practice should significantly decrease the number of unnecessary engagements of expensive transport vehicles such as ship or helicopter which can be, due to weather conditions, unfeasible sometimes. Finally, feasibility studies of similar telemedicine projects accomplished worldwide show proportionate profitability of carrying the medical care through telemedicine mode.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

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