Use of store and forward technology for vascular nursing teleconsultation service

Accurate assessment is critical in planning appropriate therapeutic management of a patient with a vascular wound. However, several factors may inhibit wound assessment by trained professionals or subspecialists. Multiple co-morbidities and lack of transportation and finances contribute to problems with access to specialty clinics for both rural and urban patients with vascular disease. To assess the application of telemedicine in meeting the needs of rural patients with vascular disease, the vascular nurse clinician of a regional medical network was incorporated into a telemedicine research project that used a still-image transmission system known as the Picasso telephone, which allows a diagnostic quality image to be transmitted over a regular telephone line. Telephone consultation between sender and receiver occurs simultaneously at the time of image transmission. Because images can be collected and stored for future reference, this technology is commonly called "store and forward" technology. The application of advanced technology in a rural health care environment has the potential to reduce costs for both patient and managed care insurance plans, allow for expert consultation from distant centers, and promote collegiality and learning among professionals.