Secure Internet video conferencing for assessing acute medical problems in a nursing facility.
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Date
2002-02-04
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Abstract
Although video based teleconferencing is becoming more widespread in the medical profession especially for scheduled consultations applications for rapid assessment of acute medical problems are rare Use of such a video system in a nursing facility may be especially beneficial because physicians are often not immediately available to evaluate patients We have assembled and tested a portable wireless conferencing system to prepare for a randomized trial of the system s influence on resource utilization and satisfaction The system includes a rolling cart with video conferencing hardware and software a remotely controllable digital camera light wireless network and battery A semi automated paging system informs physicians of patient s study status and indications for conferencing Data transmission occurs wirelessly in the nursing home and then through Internet cables to the physician s home This provides sufficient bandwidth to support quality motion images IPsec secures communications Despite human and technical challenges this system is affordable and functional