Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare > Volume 11, Supplement 1 > Pp. 78-80

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pedley, D. K Articles by Ferguson, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Papers

Mobile telemetry for pre-hospital thrombolysis: problems and solutions

David K Pedley, Stephen Beedie and James Ferguson

Accident and Emergency Department, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, UK; Scottish Ambulance Service, Dundee, UK; Accident and Emergency Department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
In the Angus region of Scotland, we have used mobile telemetry to facilitate pre-hospital thrombolysis by paramedic staff. An initial survey demonstrated that connection could be achieved in all but three locations. In the first year of operation, 229 contacts were received. Communication between the ambulance and the base station failed on four occasions (2%). Problems with transmission of an electrocardiogram (ECG) were encountered on 37 occasions (16%). The median time for acquisition and transmission of an ECG was 22 min. This compares with a median time of 59 min for first ECG in a control group from similar locations, who were assessed in hospital. Telemetry offers essential back-up to paramedics adopting a challenging and extended role. Strategies can be developed to deal with signal strength and equipment failure.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S McLean, G Egan, P Connor, and A D Flapan Collaborative decision-making between paramedics and CCU nurses based on 12-lead ECG telemetry expedites the delivery of thrombolysis in ST elevation myocardial infarction Emerg. Med. J., June 1, 2008; 25(6): 370 - 374. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]