Development and Validation of a Remote Image Transmission System for Prehospital Emergency Care

摘要

Objective: The aim of the study was to validate the effectiveness of a newly-developed video transmission system using a commercially available video-inubation device, a transmission device, and mobile telephone networks for prehospital emergency care. Methods: We designed a three-step approach for the study. As a pilot study, we examined the possibility of remote transmission of airway management images, i.e. tracheal intubation, using a rigid video-laryngoscope and mobile phone networks. Next, we developed a prototype system using a Vi&eoAaryngoscope, a specially developed transmission device, and mobile telephone networks, which combined multiple images from devices installed in an ambulance and transmitted them to a remote hospital. Finally, we verified the feasibility of the image transmission system in a simulated concurrent multiple emergency. Image information from 4 ambulances in Hiroshima city was transmitted to a virtual control center in Tokyo. Results: In the pilot study, image transmission of tracheal intubation using the commercial available devices was successfully performed. Our prototype transmission system promptly transmitted the multiple visual data from the scene to our hospital or the remote virtual control center. Conclusions: Our system promptly transmitted multiple visual data from the scenes to the control center in a distance. The incorporated images transmitted from multiple emergency scenes were found to be quite useful for medical control and quality assurance of emergency care.