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Knowledge Path: Systems The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) has invested more than thirty million dollars and seven years into the development of a new systems that change the way medicine can be delivered. The UTMB system has been continually upgraded, using the latest technology, with the core including broadband communication and an evolution of the electronic medical record. This premier integrated system, called Digital Medical Services®, employs these technologies to link live interactive video images of the patient, input from medical devices, and electronic medical records to provide the physician with real-time patient information to form a “Virtual Physician’s Office”. Central to UTMB’s telemedicine systems are the use of large-scale, geographically-distributed broadband computer networks for secure medical applications. The broadband communication systems developed swiftly and easily transmit the large amount of digital data back and forth between physician and patient. These networks, appropriately configured and operated, are the backbone on which UTMB systems operate to support medical quality video, electronic medical records, and other necessary systems.
Also core to UTMB’s programs are electronic medical record systems coupled with voice recognition, providing physician notes that are always available and legible, reducing the possibility of medical errors. Faxing of medical records is completely eliminated. The electronic medical record systems provide crucial information communication, organization, and reporting.
At the core of UTMB’s remote physician services are the medical studios, also called the virtual physician office. This is a complete work environment for distributed medical care, allowing a physician to see patients anywhere on the network, supported by electronic records and medical peripheral devices. The medical studio supports either primary care or specialist providers, and allows the virtual practice of medicine anywhere the network can reach. At the remote clinic, a special medical cart is created for communicating with and treating the patient. Included on the cart are all the necessary electronic devices required to operate the virtual physician office. The cart contains a complete medical videoconferencing system, including video monitors, and a remotely controllable pan/zoom camera giving diagnostic quality images. A light table enables the physician to view a recent x-ray or an EKG that appears last-minute at the remote clinic. A hand-held medical camera, complete with fiber-optic halogen lighting, is used to see into the patient’s throat or ears, or examine the skin closely. In addition, an electronic digital stethoscope sending unit is included. The cart also carries a complete electronic medical record workstation, allowing the clinician at the remote site complete access to patient medical information.
When advanced technology is used in health care, it cannot be counted on that all health care providers have comfort and skills with computers and technology. UTMB has created specialized training programs to get clinicians capable and comfortable in our high-tech environment. These programs provide continuous, standardized training for all our technology systems that we use every day.
With the use of electronic medical record systems, UTMB operates ongoing health care data-mining and analysis programs using the data created and managed in Digital Medical Services®. These analyses allow real-time review of information for improving health care services administratively, as well as producing clinical outcomes data to insure quality health care. Informatics tools distribute these reports electronically to all levels of the organization, insuring effective communications for process improvement.
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Introduction