Houston (TX) firefighters are employing tablet technology to help expedite some of their medical calls, according to a news report.
Houston Public Media (http://n.pr/1yg39QO) reported on firefighters using tablets to conference in doctors to help diagnose certain patients. Houston firefighters provide emergency medical service (EMS) and are cross-trained as EMTs, and many are also advanced paramedics.
The report focused on a computer tablet loaded with a video chat application that allows patients to speak directly with physicians in the city’s emergency management and 911 dispatch center. The doctors can then judge if emergency room visits are necessary and make recommendations.
In the case described in the report, firefighters responded to a patient with a persistent cough and trouble breathing. Using the tablet technology, a doctor was able to remotely assess the patient’s condition. He scheduled an appointment for the patient at a nearby clinic and arranged a free, round-trip cab ride.
The approach is designed to help firefighters respond more rapidly to serious medical emergencies and limit the number of non-essential emergency room trips.
More at http://n.pr/1yg39QO.
