Page 44: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2016)

CARING FOR THE SEAFARER: TELEMEDICINE

New Connected Seafarer Health Solution

As broadband satellite connectivity is becoming widely adopted, shipping companies are realizing that more band- width opens up new possibilities for im- proving crew life and health on board.

Telemedicine is one of them. It’s under- stood that vessel operators estimate that as many as one in two vessel evacuations or reroutings could have been avoided with better medical data. Considering an average rerouting costs $180,000 per incident, there is huge potential for cost savings and process optimization. It is in this context that Marlink has developed

XChange Telemed, at a point in time when technology is mature enough to example, rather than using ECG lead cal Assistance Center, who would ask consultation with the vessel to see the stickers which are common in hospitals, for medical information to establish a patient ? rst hand. The video link can also offer an integrated maritime health man- agement service that can assist remote considering the humid climate on board diagnosis and advise a treatment based be used to guide the Health Of? cer in his doctors in decision-making, therefore ships, ECG clips are used instead. Other on limited information. To transfer some examination. Considering that the health improving seafarer health and bene? ting criteria in the solution design was resis- relevant medical data on the patient, the of? cer will be i.e. the captain or another tance to the vessel environment (vibra- Health Of? cer would have two options: of? cer and not a primary health profes- ship operations.

Unveiled at SMM 2016, Marlink’s tions, power cuts) and the avoidance of sional, the video link can also be used by any consumables. 1) Dictate the medical readings and the doctor to remind them how to use the

XChange Telemed is a new telemedicine

XChange Telemed has been beta tested describe the observations vocally – diagnostic equipment and keep calm in a service designed to improve the health on several vessels of different types, op- which can be imprecise and lead to stressful situation.

and safety of crew and passengers at sea, while meeting the new ILO/MLC and erating in different regions, with a public misunderstandings. For the ? rst time in a maritime tele-

IMO/STCW labor regulations for health medical center. Feedback from the doc- medicine service, customers can choose and medical treatment on board. The tors and crew has allowed Marlink to 2) Send an email with the data as an between using remote medical assis- system provides a means for shipping adapt and evolve the XChange Telemed attachment – which happens today al- tance from a compatible public Tele- companies to manage both regular and service, helping to shape the product though not legally permitted, as it does medical Maritime Assistance Service emergency medical consultations for the now coming to market. not secure patient data. Moreover, this (TMAS) center, or an appointed doctor option might not be available as most or a private medical organization ship welfare of crew and passengers, support- ing medical health at sea and reducing The Doctor is “In” medical devices on board might not be owners may already have a long medical

As a key improvement for remote con- digital or could be unable to export relationship with. The Marlink service is the risk of spiraling costs incurred due to sultation at sea and in order to come as medical ? les to be transferred. also fully ? exible should the customer medical emergencies on board.

close to the impression that the patient wish to change medical assistance pro-

XChange Telemed delivers instant re- is face-to-face with the doctor in his of- In the particular case of emergencies, vider at a later stage.

mote medical support to vessels by doc- tors on shore. To ensure that crew and ? ce, the system features embedded live doctors would be asked to advise upon passengers receive fast, effective and video consultation. In addition, the inte- single observations and non-medical de- Complete, Integrated Service interactive medical attention, the service grated patient ? le management system scriptions provided by of? cers with only With XChange Telemed and the reli- includes a reinforced, vibration-proof can incorporate information from pre- basic medical training. Hence doctors able broadband link on Marlink’s Sea- hard-case Telemedical Station with CE boarding interviews (e.g. allergies, fam- may rather be safe than sorry and recom- link VSAT, unnecessary diversions or certi? ed medical equipment, an intuitive ily history) and medical backgrounds. mend evacuation based on limited medi- helicopter evacuations may be avoided touch-screen user interface and a HD The doctor responding to an urgency call cal data, which might turn out unneces- by diagnosing and treating crew illness- can view both the data transferred from sary afterwards. es and injuries on board, with frequent camera. Medical equipment provided in- the on board Telemedical Stations well However, with XChange Telemed, the follow-up by the remote doctor. While cludes electro cardiograph, blood pres- sure monitor, pulse oximeter and one or as patient ? le on a central platform. Health Of? cer would ? rst use the on reducing down-time and improving

According to the applicable inter- board Telemedical station to establish comfort for a sick or injured person on several of the following options: Oto- national law, all patient data must be the medical measurements. All medical board, the service also provides trace- scope, dermascope, stethoscope, ultra- sound, eye analyser, dental examination con? dential between the doctor and the data is then automatically synchronized ability of the performed actions.

camera, glucometer and thermometer. patient. In XChange Telemed, the pa- to the medical web portal and associ- Importantly for ship owners, XChange

All medical devices are fully connected tient medical data is encrypted, securely ated to the patient ? le. By the time the Telemed requires no up-front invest- transferred to shore and stored accord- Health Of? cer has called the Medical ment. Service continuity, 24/7 Customer with automatic data transfer. Clear in- structions and reference diagrams are ing to the strictest European medical au- Assistance Center, the doctor would Support, hardware and software mainte- enclosed to assist the remote user with thority standards. Only doctors from the have already looked at both the transmit- nance are all included in a single month-

Medical Assistance Center selected by ted data and the patient ? le, including ly subscription fee. The service managed data capture, viewing and sending.

Marlink has established a long-term the customer will have access to this data medical history. The doctor may be able though Marlink XChange service deliv- via an integrated medical web portal. to advise a treatment right away or ask ery platform is con? gured to run as a top partnership with a European CE Medi-

Without telemedicine, the standard pertinent questions in order to establish a priority, taking precedence over other cal Certi? ed Telemedicine equipment process when a person falls ill on board diagnosis quickly. Additionally, the doc- applications, to ensure highest possible manufacturer to create a product spe- ci? cally for the maritime market. For is for the Health Of? cer to call the Medi- tor can establish at any time a live video availability.

44 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • SEPTEMBER 2016

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