Tele-Toxinology: Using Mobile Phone Images to Safely Avoid Aeromedical Evacuation for Snakebite in Northern Australia

Area of Science:

• Tropical Medicine
• Toxicology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Snakebites pose a significant health risk in remote Australian regions.
• Effective management of snakebites requires accurate identification of the snake species.
• Current management protocols may involve costly and resource-intensive aeromedical retrievals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of using mobile phone images of snakes to guide snakebite management.
• To assess the impact of this strategy on aeromedical retrieval and hospitalisation rates.
• To determine if image-based identification can safely reduce healthcare resource utilization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 14 years of snakebite data from the Northern Territory.
• Incorporation of mobile phone snake images into the Top End snakebite management guideline.
• Identification of implicated snakes for 192 patients with suspected or definite snakebites.

Main Results:

• The implicated snake was identified in 192 cases, with 38.5% involving venomous snakes.
• Aeromedical retrieval was safely avoided for 25 patients from remote locations.
• Patients with confirmed non-venomous snakebites were safely discharged earlier.

Conclusions:

• Mobile phone snake image assessment can safely guide aeromedical retrieval decisions.
• This strategy can lead to reduced hospitalisation times and healthcare costs.
• Accurate snake identification via images, expert consultation, and confirmed attribution are crucial for safe implementation.