Ambulance Telemedicine Using Mobile Smart Devices Connected Through an LTE-A Network

Abstract

Background and Objectives: With the development of communications technologies, media transmitting could be possible in real time without having space and time limitations. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of using mobile smart devices to exchange data between a moving ambulance and a hospital using LTE-A (long term evolution-advanced) network technology. Materials and Methods: In the evaluation, a server and monitoring system were used to link four mobile devices simultaneously via a commercial LTE-A network. The proposed system was designed to monitor the status of a patient being transported in an ambulance, using mobile smart devices communicating via a commercial LTE-A network, in real time without delays or video image break up. Results: This was achieved by decreasing image transmission overloads for each channel and increasing the compressibility of transmissions to the server. Based on these techniques, captured media could be transmitted without data loss using a bandwidth of 512Kbps. Conclusions: Collectively, the study demonstrates that efficient, real-time telemedicine in ambulance emergency scenarios can be realized by using mobile smart devices connected through an LTE-A network. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2016;27:112-120)