"The Samsung Telemedicine centres, powered by solar power technology, can provide patients in rural areas with access to doctors and medical specialists anywhere in the world," says Mike van Lier, Business Unit Leader for Enterprise Business at Samsung Electronics South Africa. "The Telemedical application is an extension of the centre, allowing patient details to be captured accurately, medical equipment to be set up correctly and a standard of medical tests to be undertaken - for a complete medical solution."
In the Samsung Telemedicine centre, qualified nurses will be equipped with Samsung GALAXY Tablets pre-loaded with the application which has been specifically developed for the medical solution. The app will guide the nurse through the necessary processes to ensure that all the relevant information is systematically captured, to reduce human error.
The app allows patient records to be created, personal and medical history is captured or edited before the medical examination begins. An appointment is made, with the following medical examination options:
• Eye test
• Audiometery (Ear) test
• Body Mass Index calculation
• Vital Signs Monitor (including blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate)
• Electrocardiography (ECG)
• Ultrasound test
• Diagnostic blood test
Once a selection is made an overview of the procedure is provided - giving the nurse not only an outline of what will be tested but also what would be required from the patient.
"No specialised software is required to utilise this application. The tests results are then sent to the cloud, from where the relevant doctors on call will receive a notification," says Van Lier. "The results can be analysed and a diagnosis for treatment provided - along with a prescription if necessary. Patient privacy also forms an integral part of the application and all information is password protected."
"It's all about providing the correct diagnosis as quickly as possible - early detection or treatment could mean the difference between life and death. The app prompts the on-call nurse to undertake the correct tests in a standardised manner, and through technology healthcare can now become more accessible and really make a difference to many people living in rural areas."
The availability marks phase 1 of the app which will be further developed and refined in the coming months. As requests are received for additional services or tests, not to mention the information provided in numerous languages, the app will be customised accordingly.
