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WEIRD Puts a Virtual Doctor in Every Ambulance

Calling their work the WEIRD project, a team of technology researchers has devised a communications system that uses the latest technologies in an easy-to-use format that can be installed in an ambulance.  The technology allows the ambulance team to relay, in transit, vital signs and other medical data to the emergency team at a hospital.  The hospital team, in turn, can advise the ambulance team how to best treat the patient in transit, getting critical medical procedures and medications started even before the patient reaches the hospital.

The WEIRD project bundles some of the latest technologies, including telephone communications, patient data transmission, ultra-sound images, and video displays between ambulance and hospital in the hope of getting life-saving procedures and medications started at the earliest possible moment.  The WEIRD project’s research team engineered the technology so that it can be quickly and easily used by all ambulance personnel.  The technologies have been available for some time but in formats that required extensive training to operate.  By simplifying the work of the end user and integrating various technologies, ambulance personnel can remain focused on the patient while using the communications equipment and no one solely devoted to running the equipment is needed.

The European Union’s Sixth Framework Programme provided funding for the WEIRD research project.

Source: ICT Results

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