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Using robotic telecommunications to triage pediatric disaster victims
Rita V Burke1, Bridget M Berg, Paul Vee
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|January 17, 2012
Summary
Robotic telemedicine effectively provided remote pediatric expertise during disaster drills, extending specialist reach for treating injured children when on-site care was limited.
Area of Science:
- Disaster medicine
- Telehealth technology
- Pediatric emergency care
Background:
- Hospitals face challenges with pediatric specialist availability during disasters.
- Overwhelmed facilities necessitate innovative solutions for pediatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of using robotic telemedicine for remote pediatric expertise.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of robots in treating pediatric victims during simulated disasters.
Main Methods:
- Two disaster drills were conducted in Los Angeles County in 2008.
- A robotic telecommunications system (InTouch Health) was utilized.
- Mixed-methods approach was employed for evaluation.
Main Results:
- Pediatric specialists successfully performed remote triage and treatment consultations.
- Robotic telemedicine extended resources, providing expert consultation remotely.
- The system proved valuable when specialists could not be physically present.
Conclusions:
- Telemedicine is feasible for use in disaster delayed treatment areas.
- Robotic systems can facilitate remote collaboration for pediatric victim triage and treatment.
- Telemedicine offers a viable solution for training and supporting remote medical personnel.
