Necessity for Telemedicine in Ophthalmology
Hokkaido is the Northernmost Island in Japan and covers such an immense area that as many as thirteen airports are used for local travel. However, it is the harsh winters with heavy snowfall that create major commuting problems for its residents.
It is even in these conditions that seriously ill patients must somehow get to the nearest hospital. It is especially true in the case of Ophthalmology that the patient can not travel alone and usually makes a visit to Asahikawa Medical College Hospital with a family member or friend.
Our first goal then is that the patient should not have to come to us; we should be able to come to the patient. If this can become possible then it goes further to say that there will be a choice as to the most suitable hospital at the most convenient time in treating patients for check-ups, diagnosis, treatments, and operations.
Telemedicine can be utilized not only for diagnosis to patients living in remote areas but is also possible for operations.
HISTORY #1
October 20th, 1994
Asahikawa Medical College Ophthalmologist Department connected to Yoichi Hospital
- INS net64 1 Line
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- Two-way moving images and audio transmission are a success.
- The transmitted picture is not very smooth because only 15 frames per second can be sent.
January 1995
Asahikawa Medical College Ophthalmologist Department connects to Asahikawa Takasago Sunagawa Hospital
- INS net64 3 Line
- Two-way moving images and audio transmission are a success, much clearer with 30 frames per second.
- A clear picture can be viewed even when paused, moving pictures are still fuzzy.
December 21st, 1995 Asahikawa Medical College Ophthalmologist Department connects to Kushiro Red Cross Hospital
- INS net 1500 Line/INS net 64 1 Line (used together)
- Two-way moving images and audio transmission are a success, much clearer with 30 frames per second.
- A clear picture can be viewed even when paused, moving pictures are still fuzzy.
November 1996 Asahikawa Medical College Hospital Ophthalmology Department expands the Telemedicine System
- INS net1500 1 Line/INS net64 1 Line (used together)
- Telemedicine is useful in support with daily diagnosis, and also starts to support in operations.
November 14, 1996
Asahikawa Medical University Ophthalmology Department connects to Harvard University S.E.R.I.
- International Public Line
- The first test succeeds connecting Boston, USA to Asahikawa Medical University Ophthalmology Department for the mutual transmission of moving images and audio.
- The first test succeeds connecting Boston, USA to Asahikawa Medical University Ophthalmology Department for the mutual transmission of moving images and audio.
December 11, 1996
Asahikawa Medical College Ophthalmologist Department connects to Harvard University S.E.R.I. and Municipal Asahikawa Hospital Ophthalmology Department
- Telemedicine is successful in holding a conference simultaneously while diagnosing and treating a patient of the Municipal Asahikawa Medical Hospital Ophthalmology Department, connecting up with Harvard University S.E.R.I. and Asahikawa Medical College Ophthalmologist Department.
November 19, 1997
Asahikawa Medical College Ophthalmologist Department connects to Harvard University S.E.R.I. and Municipal Asahikawa Hospital Ophthalmology Department
- Telemedicine is successful in holding a conference simultaneously while diagnosing and treating a patient of the Municipal Asahikawa Medical Hospital Ophthalmology Department, connecting up with Harvard University S.E.R.I. and Asahikawa Medical College Ophthalmologist Department.
October 16th, 1998
Asahikawa Medical College Ophthalmology Department connects to Nanjing Naka Medical University Eye Center (China)
- Asahikawa Medical Main Operating Room holds a live conference with Nanjing Naka Medical University Eye Center (China). Asahikawa Medical Main Operation Room transmits a conference on explanation of vitreous operations.
- Nanjing Naka Medical University Eye Center transmits live images of refractive surgery.
- Telemedicine has been continued in use for various conferences between these two hospitals since.
July 15th 1999 Telemedicine Center is set up in Asahikawa Medical College Hospital
- Telemedicine to network conferencing for diagnosing and treating all ophthalmology patients between
- the Conference Room,
- #1 Diagnostic Room (Sense Organ System),
- #2 Diagnostic Room(Pathology),
- #3 Diagnostic Room(X-ray CT MRI RI),
- #4Diagnostic Room (Endoscope/Electrocardiogram/....),
- 遠隔医療の1994年からこれまでの取り組みをご紹介します Telemedicine (English)
