Providing emergency medical care to offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico using telemedicine

Anis Bouabene

doi:10.1117/12.480636

26 August 2002 Providing emergency medical care to offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico using telemedicine

Anis Bouabene

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4912, Applications of Broadband Optical and Wireless Networks; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.480636
Event: Asia-Pacific Optical and Wireless Communications 2002, 2002, Shanghai, China

Abstract

UTMB is developing with industrial partners the "24/7 telemedicine triage project" to provide emergency medical care to offshore oil and gas rigs and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil and gas industry is second only to the US department of defense in the number of employees stationed in remote areas. Providing medical care to such populations is logistically complex and expensive. In addition, emergency evacuation is often time-consuming and poses risks for both patients and medical crews. By utilizing high-resolution videoconferencing technology, through a satellite communication, patient visits will be conducted in real time and will provide more informed decisions about the need for more extensive treatment, thereby reducing unnecessary evacuations. In addition, patients who require evacuation will receive a higher standard of care while waiting for transport to a medical facility. UTMB physicians report that 39% of all patients from offshore facilities treated in the emergency department, could have been successfully treated through telemedicine without being evacuated to a hospital. The telemedicine project will employ standard procedures for medical triage, in which patients are directed to appropriate medical experts based on their symptoms or type of injury.

Citation Download Citation

Anis Bouabene "Providing emergency medical care to offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico using telemedicine", Proc. SPIE 4912, Applications of Broadband Optical and Wireless Networks, (26 August 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.480636

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