Smartphone Technology and Telemedicine - Mayo Clinic

Summary

Dr. Bart de Marshall, a Neurology professor at the Mayo Clinic, introduces a new FDA-approved smartphone app for teleradiology, Resolution MD. This app allows stroke neurologists to remotely access and interpret CT scans and advanced neuroimaging, aiding in the diagnosis of stroke patients. The app’s security features ensure patient confidentiality, as no data is permanently stored on the device. It also enables real-time collaboration with emergency physicians, enhancing stroke care in remote areas. For more details, Dr. de Marshall invites users to explore the Mayo Clinic’s telestroke program and other telemedicine services.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Bart de Marshall is a professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic, specializing in stroke treatment and telemedicine.
• 😀 Resolution MD is an FDA-approved smartphone application designed for teleradiology, specifically for stroke diagnosis.
• 😀 The app allows stroke neurologists to access and review CT scans of patients remotely, even if they are hundreds of miles away.
• 😀 Emergency department physicians and neurologists can review the same CT scan in real-time, enabling immediate consultation and diagnosis.
• 😀 The app helps in identifying signs of stroke, such as acute intracranial hemorrhage, early ischemic changes, and hyperdense artery signs.
• 😀 The app ensures patient confidentiality: images are not stored permanently on the device, and access is protected by a password.
• 😀 If the device is lost or stolen, unauthorized individuals cannot access patient data, enhancing security.
• 😀 The app enables live collaboration between emergency physicians and neurologists, improving stroke care efficiency and accuracy.
• 😀 The app's real-time annotation feature allows neurologists to highlight key features of a CT scan for better understanding during consultations.
• 😀 The Mayo Clinic Telestroke program, which utilizes this technology, helps improve stroke care in remote or underserved regions.
• 😀 For more information on the Telestroke program and other telemedicine services, viewers are encouraged to visit the Mayo Clinic website.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the FD-approved smartphone application mentioned in the script?

The main purpose of the application is to allow stroke neurologists to access, review, and provide interpretations on CT scans and other advanced neuroimaging of stroke patients from remote locations, even hundreds of miles away.

What type of patients does the smartphone app focus on?

The app focuses on patients who exhibit symptoms and signs of stroke.

How does the app allow a neurologist to review the CT scans?

The app allows the neurologist to scroll through the images, image by image, simply by running their finger along the screen, to assess the CT scan for various stroke-related conditions.

What specific features or conditions is the neurologist looking for when reviewing CT scans in stroke patients?

The neurologist is looking for signs of acute intracranial hemorrhage, early ischemic changes, hyperdense artery signs, and other conditions that might mimic stroke or explain the stroke syndrome.

How is patient confidentiality ensured while using the smartphone application?

The application ensures patient confidentiality by storing no permanent data on the device. Additionally, the app is password-protected, and if the device is lost or stolen, no one would have access to confidential patient information.

Can multiple physicians collaborate on the same scan in real-time using the application?

Yes, the referring physician in the emergency department and the neurologist can view the same image simultaneously. They can also have a live connection and use a pointer to highlight unique features of the scan.

What additional functionality does the app provide for collaboration between the neurologist and the emergency physician?

The app allows the neurologist and the emergency physician to speak at the same time about the scan, enhancing real-time collaboration and decision-making.

What happens to the information after the neurologist has reviewed the CT scan on the app?

After reviewing the CT scan, the information is not permanently stored on the device, ensuring that patient confidentiality is maintained.

What is the significance of the app’s security features, like password protection?

The password protection ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive patient information. It protects against unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen.

Where can additional information about Mayo Clinic's telemedicine services be found?

Additional information about the Mayo Clinic Telestroke program and other telemedicine services can be found on the Mayo Clinic website.