Advanced telehealth technology is being used to advance patient care in the field by connecting rural emergency medical services (EMS) responders with Tucson emergency medicine physicians in a joint project involving University of Arizona Health Sciences and Banner – University of Tucson Medical Center.
Rural EMS and ambulance organizations face a number of challenges in providing sustainable pre-hospital care to remote communities, including low call rates, long transport distances, reliance on volunteers, an aging workforce and difficulty meeting higher levels of education. The Arizona Rural EMS Advanced Telemedicine Demonstration Initiative (AzREADI) addresses these challenges by providing 24/7 rural EMS responders with real-time consultations with board-certified EMS physicians.
Contacting a remote specialist before arriving at a hospital can reduce the time from symptom onset to treatment, which is especially important for a stroke or traumatic brain injury, for example, when there is a time to brain. ‘”
Joshua Gaither, MD, Associate Professor and Director of EMS Fellowship, UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Emergency Medicine
The use of telemedicine services is critical in rural areas, where the COVID-19 pandemic has already put pressure on limited resources. AzREADI is taking advantage of improvements in wireless broadband capabilities to expand communications and improve real-time patient care while making the best use of resources and reducing costs.
“EMS vehicles are equipped with a broadband cellular connection and high-speed internet access to the Tucson University Medical Center Emergency Department, making it much easier for an emergency department doctor to access the information immediately, make a diagnosis, transfer recommend or prepare the medical equipment necessary to treat the patient on arrival, “said Dr Gaither.
Two partner EMS organizations are participating in the pilot program: the Rio Rico Fire and Medical Area, serving the rural area just north of the Arizona-Mexico border; and the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District, serving rural communities between Tucson and Sierra Vista. Cobmined, their EMS service areas include 19,941 Arizona citizens and cover 792 square miles in southern Arizona.
“Having the AzREADI facility available to the teams gives them very close medical support experience very close to themselves,” said Richard Johnson, vice president of the Rio Rico Medical and Fire District. contacting a physician and, through technology, hearing the medical recommendation is a great comfort to me as a supervisor, knowing that my staff are being supported to that extent wherever they are. they are. “
“With the technological resources provided by AzREADI, we now have the ability to share vital clinical information with doctors in real time, which makes for more effective decisions and ensures patients receive their care. best while allowing us to increase our resources, “said Marc Meredith, acting head of operations for the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District.” We are grateful to be part of this important program to advance medical care in rural settings. “
AzREADI is funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant from the UArizona Center for Rural Health at Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. The Center for Rural Health was one of only eight recipients in the country to receive a three-year, $ 750,000 grant for the HRSA Rural Hospital Flexibility Program award for the AzREADI project.
“EMS providers can use the AzREADI telehealth platform at the scene of the accident or illness or on the way to a medical facility to virtually gain access in addition to the best treatment option for the patient,” he said. co-researcher Amber Rice, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine who is also the medical director for two Tucson fire departments. “The expected effects are better testing, advanced on-site care, and referrals to facilities that may meet patient needs.”
The other co-researchers are: Melody Glenn, MD, assistant professor and medical director of primary hospital for Banner – UMC Tucson, and Daniel Spaite, MD, professor and Honorary Chair of Emergency Medicine Virginia Piper, from the Department of Emergency Medicine; and Arizona Telemedicine Program Founding Director Ronald Weinstein, MD.
“We are delighted to be partnering with these great organizations, using technology to help connect patients and providers to more facilities,” said Dr Glenn. “The project is innovative. This allows us to achieve one of the key goals of high quality pre – hospital care: get the right care for the right patient at the right time. “
Source:
University of Arizona health sciences