High-Definition Telemedicine Technology Used to Share Pediatric Diagnostic Data

children's hospitals simultaneously reviewed diagnostic images from patients at the joint launch of the hospitals' new telemedicine equipment, making them the first two medical institutions in the United States to employ this form of high-definition technology.

The high-definition telemedicine video conferencing equipment allows St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, TN, USA) and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital (Paterson, NJ, USA) to confer and view computed tomography (CT) scans as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medical imaging with more clarity than ever before and in real time. Both facilities received the equipment, made by Polycom, Inc. (Pleasanton, CA, USA), through a donation from Medical Missions for Children, a nonprofit organization that that uses the latest developments in communication for the transfer of medical knowledge.

The sophisticated scan technology provides clear, three-dimensional (3D) images that allow clinicians to view both the anatomy and physiology of a tumor. Its high-definition transmission of images permits x-rays and 3D reconstructional images to be seen in the detail in which they were recorded. Moreover, it unites clinicians whose expertise could help in implementing treatment protocols that could save the life of a child across the United States or even on another continent.

The connection between the sites is based on Internet Protocol (IP), which uses infrastructure already in place to support the data networking needs of both organizations. The high-definition transmission of images uses InternetTwo as a means to secure high-bandwidth access between the two organizations. By harnessing these existing capabilities, there is no additional connection cost for either organization.

St. Jude will use the technology to collaborate with specialists at St. Joseph's on pediatric oncology cases that are atypical and require special attention or represent unique research cases. However, the technology connectivity will also be possible with other locations. The network design, which is backward-compatible with conventional teleconferencing equipment, will allow units at St. Jude and St. Joseph's to connect virtually anywhere in the world.


Related Links:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Polycom