Released on May 12, 2014
Saskatchewan is pioneering a new method to deliver health services to remote communities. A remote presence technology pilot project will be launched in Pelican Narrows to help improve access to timely health care for patients.Remote presence technology is an advanced robotics telemedicine platform currently being used at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon for neurosurgical care. It enables a health care provider (such as specialist or physician) to instantly connect with a patient remotely, and perform real-time assessment, diagnosis and patient management.
A live demonstration of the innovative technology was provided to health partners today.
“Our government supports innovative solutions that improve patient experiences and outcomes,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. “This cutting edge technology will help deliver timely care for patients in the Pelican Narrows area.”
The technology consists of robotic and portable devices equipped with high resolution cameras located at the point of care. A health care provider can connect with these devices from a remote location, using a laptop with a high resolution camera and a secure wireless network. Diagnostic information gathered at the point of care is transmitted in real time to the specialist’s laptop.
The Ministry of Health has provided $250,000 for the purchase of remote presence technology equipment. The funding is directed to Northern Medical Services, a division of the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.
“Remote presence technology offers increased access to a range of health services and health care providers,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Randy Weekes said. “This is especially important in isolated areas where patients experience difficulty accessing health care due to geographical and other barriers.”
The Pelican Narrows pilot is led by Dr. Ivar Mendez, Fred H. Wigmore Professor and Unified Head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan, in partnership with Northern Medical Services and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
“This technology is aimed at eliminating barriers of distance and time for health care access by rural and remote communities where the need is the greatest,” Dr. Mendez said. “The devices can connect to available diagnostic peripherals such as stethoscopes, vital signs monitors and ultrasound equipment making real-time diagnosis and patient monitoring possible. Saskatchewan will be at the leading edge in the utilization of remote presence medical robotic technology aimed at improving health access and outcomes. We are proud to pilot this program in the First Nation community of Pelican Narrows.”
Northern Medical Services provides physician services to communities in northern Saskatchewan.
“Many of these communities are difficult to access,” Northern Medical Services Director Veronica McKinney said. “The use of remote presence technology in Pelican Narrows will reduce medical transportation costs, increase access to medical services and improve standards of care for patients.”
“We are very excited and optimistic that this technology will improve patient care and help address some of the challenges we face in accessing health care due to limited physician and specialist services, prenatal care, trauma and emergency response, and distance from the nearest hospital,” Executive Director of Health Services, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Arnette Weber-Beeds said.
Remote presence technology was developed by In Touch Health Inc®, a California-based company that provides health care-centric telemedicine solutions to customers in 20 countries.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Angela White
College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-966-7323
Email: surgery.communications@usask.ca