High-tech health trial at AgQuip this week
17 August 2010
Hunter New England Health is expected to be the first health service in Australia to trial a hands-free videoconference system for medical purposes at this week’s 2010 Commonwealth Bank AgQuip in Gunnedah.
Hunter New England Health staffers will be at AgQuip to give a glimpse of the future of tele-medicine, including a state-of-the-art mobile videoconference system.
The wearable videoconference system will be demonstrated this Wednesday 18 August and Thursday 19 August. AgQuip visitors will be able to see the technology first-hand at HNE Health’s base at the Australian Centre for Agricultural Farm Safety Shed, rows C and D 24.
Hunter New England Health’s Tony Green said this week’s demonstration was possibly the first of its type in Australia for healthcare use.
Mr Green, HNE Health’s Area Manager of Telehealth Support Services, said the wearable system will provide a real-time interactive video and audio link between two health workers based at different locations.
“This live video system, worn on a person’s head, has the potential to assist healthcare professionals in the management of trauma cases, by providing a hands-free telemedicine platform,” Mr Green said.
“We wanted to demonstrate its potential uses in a rural setting, where distance and remoteness may mean medical expertise isn’t always readily available, particularly in cases of emergency.
“The live video lets the health worker with the patient send real-time video feeds, enabling the doctor receiving the feeds to remotely direct the examination and observe the patient’s reactions during treatment. The camera can zoom in to allow close inspection of wounds, burns, dermatology conditions, or examine specific body parts at close range.
“If one health worker is able to wear this videoconferencing device to the scene of an accident – or even just at a patient’s home – then the real-time images and audio can be relayed to a doctor or specialist who can provide instant advice.
“There is no better way to use the innovations that telehealth offers than to meet the health needs of remote Australians.”
Similar videoconferencing systems are widely used in other countries for medical purposes, but it’s thought this week’s demonstration will be the first time it is demonstrated for such a purpose in Australia.
HNE Health does not yet use this specific piece of wearable technology, but a number of clinical trials are planned in different health settings during the coming year.
“HNE Health has an excellent track record in using telehealth systems and AgQuip is the ideal place to show how technology is improving health care for patients and their families in rural and remote areas,” Mr Green said.
(HNE-2334)
Contact: Carisa Green
Phone: 0428 106 183