The KU Center for Telemedicine & Telehealth offers telemedicine services utilizing interactive televideo for consultations between healthcare providers and patients.
The selection of an ITV system is based on several factors,
including the intended purpose of the system,
its required mobility and the space available.
Equipment for a clinical
application most often includes a video coder-decoder
application called a codec, a monitor to display
images, at least one
camera and a small cart to transport the equipment
between exam rooms.
KUCTT is upgrading its system to utilize only high-definition codecs and 32-inch HD flat-panel monitors in the clinics. The latter are able to display higher-resolution video streams and require less space than traditional tube televisions. Smaller or larger monitors may be required for other applications.
In addition to mobile equipment, new
technology now allows for stationary systems with high-quality
video and audio connections to be placed on a provider’s
desk. This is accomplished through a stand-alone desktop
ITV system or through a combination of hardware and software
installed on the provider’s computer. The advantage
of this model is that providers can conduct telemedicine
clinics from the convenience of their offices, using the
same computer hardware they use to access email, electronic
health records and other information.
Several brands of ITV systems are available on the market and most are compatible with one another. KUCTT has connected with ITV systems in Asia, Australia, Europe and South America.
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data, including video and voice, which can be transmitted at one time. At a higher bandwidth, more video data can be transferred, resulting in a better image. KUCTT transmits most of its clinical consults at 384 Kbps using H.323 Internet Protocol. HD videoconferencing can be done at these lower speeds, but true HD can only be obtained at 1Mbps of bandwidth or higher. Even at a bandwidth lower than1Mbps, HD systems provide better image quality than standard definition systems at the same speed.
KUCTT uses Internet Protocol to connect telemedicine
sites. IP offers more flexibility and greater
availability than the older ISDN connections.
Peripherals – devices that enhance the ability of the health provider to see and hear the patient even when they are miles apart – differentiate telemedicine from ordinary videoconferencing. Any medical device that produces a video output signal is compatible with most teleconferencing technology.
Some of the peripherals used by remote clinics to transmit data to KUCTT include:
Please contact KUCTT for questions related to telemedicine technology, peripherals or connectivity.
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The University of Kansas Medical Center