Weng-Yen Kuo Lin, Chairman, Tatung Infocomm; Chih-Liang Yaung, Minister of DOH; Lai Feng-wei, Incumbent deputy secretary-general to the president; J.T. Wang, Chairman, Taipei Computer Association; President Ma Ying-jeou; Taipei City Mayor, Hau Lung-bin; Chang Jin-fu, Minister without Portfolio, Executive Yuan; Jung-Chiou, Hwang, Vice Minister of MOEA and Sriram Viswanathan, General Manager, WiMAX Program Office, INTEL CORPORATION are displayed in left-to-right order.
As Computex was celebrating its 30th anniversary, emergency medical services using WiMAX technology were showcased as one of the special events. This live demonstration was done on Peng-Hu island in the Taiwan Straits and connected to TICC in Taipei at a distance of 250km. The demo featured WiMAX being used in emergency medical situations, allowing the Medicare Call Center (Taipei side) to monitor its patients 24/7 at distances of more than 150 miles through a portable medical device that measures vital signs and can automatically activate 911 services through embedded WiMAX technology if necessary.
The Medicare Call Center is able to monitor a patient's vital data 24 hours a day such as ECG, pulse, temperature, and blood pressure. In the event of an abnormality, the system can find the exact location of a patient through integrated GPS functions based on WiMAX technology and activate 911 services automatically. When compared to traditional models requiring human assistance, this breakthrough advance can save untold lives.
This remote access is crucial to healthcare providers in taking preventive measures. This includes having the most up-to-date equipment in the ambulance to relay vital signs back to medical staff at the hospital. The key is the WiMAX technology providing real-time data and instant alerts prior to a life threatening event. High-quality video conferencing allows ER doctors to work with paramedics in providing on-the-spot treatment while the patient is in transit. Hospitals can save more lives by preparing facilities, equipment and treatment in advance.
“This is called ‘Pre-hospital Emergency Care’ and it helps to reduce the rate of DOA – Death on Arrival” said President Ma. The President mentioned that when he was the mayor of Taipei City, DOA rates were around 8.5% and the City administration is still working hard to decrease that number. “…as a person, I am deeply touched with the demo….” The President continued, “now, I see DOAs can be further reduced with the latest equipment that can automatically send a patient’s vital information back to the Medicare Call Center through the WiMAX network with 911 services being automatically activated without human intervention …. This is really beyond my expectation.”
The first Active Emergency Medical Services over WiMAX demonstration was showcased worldwide with high praise being received from more than 200 high ranking government officers, industry leaders and medical professionals in attendance.
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