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Advanced Technologies and Wireless Telecommunications Enhance Care and Medical Training at the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
- Wireless Technology Allows Physicians to Remotely Operate Robots, Extend Reach of Specialized Care -
MIAMI, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The William Lehman Injury Research
Center (WLIRC), an internationally recognized research facility located at the
University of Miami/Jackson Medical Center's Ryder Trauma Center; the U.S.
Army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC); the Army
Trauma Training Center (ATTC); the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and
Qualcomm, through its Wireless Reach(TM) initiative, today announced their
collaboration to expand the reach and clinical effectiveness of physicians
using the InTouch Health, RP-7(R) robot for trauma care.
For the past year, WLIRC has been working with the U.S. Army's Trauma
Training Center, co-located at Ryder, to study the feasibility of using the
robot to support trauma care. This new collaborative effort will build on
previous research by demonstrating how trauma specialists can use wireless
broadband to remotely operate the robot.
"There is a shortage of specialized trauma physicians," said Jonathan
Linkous, executive director of ATA. "Using the robot and wireless broadband
technology represents a potential expansion of care, not only in the U.S., but
also overseas. The research being conducted at Ryder Trauma Center will help
determine the possibilities of these technologies."
The WLIRC will receive an RP-7 robot and specially configured laptops with
EV-DO Rev. A wireless cards for enhanced broadband connectivity, through which
surgeons can connect to the robot wherever 3G wireless broadband is available.
The project enables specialty physicians using the RP-7 robot to actively
participate in the delivery of care in the Resuscitation Unit, Operating Rooms
and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from a remote location. Once connected, the
surgeons can autonomously drive the robot to patients' bedsides using controls
on the laptops to offer consultation during an emergency, monitor patients and
train nurses and residents from their homes, offices or virtually anywhere.
The robot's two-way audio-video capabilities will allow the doctors to check
vitals, zoom in on the patient and provide advice to attending doctors, nurses
or clinicians.
"The Ryder Trauma Center is the only Level I trauma center in Miami-Dade
County for adults and children and it services an area of nearly three million
people," said Jeffrey S. Augenstein, M.D, Ph.D., director of the William
Lehman Injury Research Center and principal investigator on the project.
"Enabling doctors to instantly connect to the ICU through high-speed wireless
technology can help lower the preventable death rate by speeding up the
delivery of trauma care during the 'golden hour,' the critical 60 minutes
after an injury."
"When high-speed wireless technology and connectivity become an integral
component of the health care system, critical information from patients will
get to doctors more quickly - and vice versa," said Don Jones, vice president
of business development for Qualcomm's health and life sciences group. "This
compression of time will contribute to a revolution in the health care
industry and we are proud to support this program through our Wireless Reach
initiative."
Another benefit realized during the past year of using the RP-7 is the
reduction of bacterial infections spread while physicians conduct their
rounds, which is a problem in hospitals where doctors visit approximately 10-
15 patients per hour. During this new stage of the project, doctors will
examine deeper the use of the robot to conduct grand rounds, maneuvered by the
doctor from somewhere else, as a potential solution to help reduce the spread
of bacterial infections.
Contributors to the project are providing the means necessary to implement
advanced technology in the medical field:
-- The William Lehman Injury Research Center at the University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center,
working with the U.S. Army's Trauma Training Center, is implementing the
project
-- The Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, a unit
within the U.S. Army Research and Materiel Command at Fort Detrick, Maryland,
is sponsoring the research
-- The American Telemedicine Association is managing the project
-- Qualcomm, through its Wireless Reach initiative, is sponsoring the
project and providing technical support and consultation.
B-roll and photos of this project are available and can be downloaded at:
ftp://bmhkuserc5:quc10he110@ftp.hk.bm.com/sectionc5
Telemedicine technology holds promise for enhancing U.S.-based and
military trauma care systems by projecting world-class physicians when and
where they are needed. Data indicates that the robot is a useful and safe
tool in a civilian trauma setting. Leveraging the power of 3G wireless
broadband networks will significantly enhance access to the RP-7 robot and
bring about an even higher level of readiness to Miami's trauma system.
The Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical
Center -- one of the world's leading facilities -- excels in every aspect of
trauma care, saving thousands of lives each year. This world-renowned,
state-of-the-art center is operated by Jackson Memorial Hospital System, in
conjunction with the University of Miami Department of Surgery under the
Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Services. Housed in the Ryder
Trauma Center is the William Lehman Injury Research Center.
The Ryder Trauma Center is the only certified Level I trauma center in
South Florida for adults and children. The center is geared toward lowering
the preventable death rate by speeding up the delivery of trauma care during
the "golden hour," the critical 60 minutes after an injury. Jackson Memorial
Hospital sees more than 8,000 emergency patients per year -- approx. 4, 000 at
the Ryder Trauma Center. Approximately 30 percent of the general admissions
result from gunshot wounds, stabbings or falls and 70 percent are the result
of blunt trauma, vehicular accidents and various other causes. Children make
up approx. 10 percent of all patients seen at the center. Since its founding
in 1992, the Ryder Trauma Center and its medical staff have developed a
worldwide reputation for clinical excellence. Surgical and medical teams from
throughout the United States and the Caribbean, as well as from Russia, Japan,
England, Italy and France, have visited the 44-story, free-standing, 166,000-
square-foot trauma center to study advanced trauma care.
Today, the Ryder Trauma Center is the centerpiece of Miami-Dade County's
trauma care system, offering world-class clinical care to all residents,
regardless of ability to pay. As an integral part of Jackson Memorial
Hospital -- which is operated by the county's Public Health Trust -- the Ryder
Trauma Center draws upon both the specialized resources of the hospital and
the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
The Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, a component of
the U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command (USAMRMC) located at Fort
Detrick, Maryland, executes a Congressional Special Interest Program of
medical science and engineering technology research that maximizes benefits to
military medicine.
The American Telemedicine Association is the leading resource and advocate
promoting access to medical care for consumers and health professionals via
telecommunications technology. The ATA seeks to bring together diverse groups
from traditional medicine, academic medical centers, technology and
telecommunications companies, e-health, medical societies, government and
others to overcome barriers to the advancement of telemedicine through the
professional, ethical and equitable improvement in health care delivery.
Established in 1993 as a non-profit organization and headquartered in
Washington, DC, membership in the ATA is open to individuals, companies and
other organizations with an interest in promoting the deployment of
telemedicine throughout the world.
The U.S. Army Trauma Training Center (ATTC) supports military medical
readiness by training military resuscitative, operative and intensive care
teams to provide safe, effective combat casualty care to wounded warriors in
dynamic combat environments. Located in Miami, Florida, the Center is home to
the Army's Combat Extremity War Surgery Course and participates in team
training research through the Miller School of Medicine at the University of
Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital. The Center represents a unique
association between military, public and private institutions and leverages
broad professional expertise to provide relevant medical training. The Army
Trauma Training Center operates under the auspices of the U.S. Army Medical
Department Center and School (AMEDD C&S), Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Qualcomm believes access to advanced wireless voice and data services
improves people's lives. Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative supports
programs and solutions that bring the benefits of connectivity to developing
communities globally. Wireless Reach projects create new ways for people to
communicate, learn, access health care and reach global markets. For more
information, please visit www.qualcomm.com/wirelessreach.
Qualcomm Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and
delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services
based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San Diego,
Calif., Qualcomm is included in the S&P 100 Index, S&P 500 Index and is a 2008
FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the ticker
symbol QCOM.
Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Wireless
Reach is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Ryder Trauma Center Contact:
Lorraine Nelson, Public Relations
Phone : 305-585-7201
Email: lnelson@jhsmiami.org
William Lehman Injury Research Center Contact:
Elana Perdeck
Phone: 305-243-8686
Email: eperdeck@med.miami.edu
Qualcomm Contacts:
Emily Kilpatrick, Corporate Communications
Phone: 1-858-845-5959
Email: corpcomm@qualcomm.com
John Gilbert, Investor Relations
Phone: 1-858-658-4813
Email: ir@qualcomm.com
SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated
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