Secure Internet video conferencing for assessing acute medical problems in a nursing facility.
Although video-based teleconferencing is becoming more widespread in the medical profession, especially for scheduled consultations, applications for rapid assessment of acute medical problems are rare. Use of such a video system in a nursing facility may be especially beneficial, because physicians are often not immediately available to evaluate patients. We have assembled and tested a portable, wireless conferencing system to prepare for a randomized trial of the system s influence on resource utilization and satisfaction. The system includes a rolling cart with video conferencing hardware and software, a remotely controllable digital camera, light, wireless network, and battery. A semi-automated paging system informs physicians of patient s study status and indications for conferencing. Data transmission occurs wirelessly in the nursing home and then through Internet cables to the physician s home. This provides sufficient bandwidth to support quality motion images. IPsec secures communications. Despite human and technical challenges, this system is affordable and functional.
Weiner
M
M
The Regenstrief Institute for Health Care, Center for Aging Research, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geraitrics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Schadow
G
G
Lindbergh
D
D
Warvel
J
J
Abernathy
G
G
Dexter
P
P
McDonald
C J
CJ
D006747:Hospital Communication Systems; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008838:Microcomputers; D009735:Nursing Homes; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013685:Telecommunications; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation