The alarm has gone off, and the ambulance in Trondheim sets out on a new mission. As always, it is important to form as good a picture of the situation as possible, as early as possible. – It is a huge step forward, says section chief at the emergency department at St. Olav’s hospital, Torkild Skaar. The video streaming means that the ambulance workers who are out on assignment can use video to talk to a doctor and get help in assessing the way forward for the patient. – Being able to get it visually means that we can sort better and have a much better flow and logistics at the reception. It is also a security for those who are outside. The app, which will send video in a secure way, has been developed by the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, which will test it as a pilot project together with Central Norwegian Health. Freeing up resources Ken Pettersen is a project manager at Helse Midt-Norge and an ambulance worker. He strongly believes that the project will improve patient safety. – This could mean that we get a more correct destination for the patient, so that he is taken directly to the right help. It can also free up resources when the doctor can help make decisions about where the patient is going. Section supervisor Skaar agrees. – Basically, we want everyone to be confident that they will receive emergency treatment and assessment when needed. But if patients with a less serious degree of urgency can be rerouted to a more suitable time, it will bring a benefit to the entire line, he says. Pettersen says that this tool will not be used on the most acute cases, but rather on the less acute cases where more assessments are to be made. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news Calling in But how does video streaming actually work? The solution being tested is a further development from the video streaming AMK and the medical center have used with callers in the past. It has helped the centers to get a more accurate picture of what has happened so that they send the right resources to the incident. Now the same solution will be used so that paramedics can communicate visually with the doctor and get a safer assessment. The ambulance workers arrive at the scene, carry out routines and call the AMK central for decision support. Illustration image. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news Sentralen connects the ambulance workers to a suitable doctor or specialist. Illustration image. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news The ambulance worker films the patient and gives the information he/she has. Illustration image. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news The doctor makes an assessment as to whether the patient should be taken to hospital, emergency room or whether it is fine to stay at home. Illustration image. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news Test phase It is still early days, but the actors are currently positive about the project. Ambulance workers in Trøndelag and Møre and Romsdal will now enter a test phase. – If this becomes a system that can be trusted and that provides good image transmission, then it will be a supplement that enables us to be involved as decision support from the hospital. That’s what Skaar says and adds: – I think it’s very important because it gives a new insight into the clinical condition of the patient to see him physically himself.
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Video streaming from an ambulance to St. Olavs can improve patient safety – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
