Overview of 5G smart ambulance for remote consultation

Telefonica O2 partnered with Samsung, Visionable, and Launchcloud for the trial of 5G smart ambulance use case enabling remote consultation. This project equips standard ambulances with state-of-the-art devices and connectivity, creating a “Smart Ambulance” that simulates 5G connectivity, transforming the vehicle into a unique remote consultation room. This enables paramedics to conduct onboard treatments through mobile expert consultation. It can empower paramedics to treat more people with more ailments than currently possible and ease the strain on hospital resources by reducing the number of patients taken to the hospital. The trial simulates an emergency call-out, allowing paramedics to conduct checks, collect data, and communicate with consultants remotely using onboard equipment. The paramedics are able to diagnose patients and recommend the appropriate treatment and next actions.

5G Communication service provider

O2 provided mobile connectivity for this use case to trial out smart ambulances with the aim to improve the speed of a patient’s diagnosis and the level of treatment that can be offered by paramedics. O2 is the commercial brand of Telefónica UK Limited and is a leading digital communications company with the highest customer satisfaction for any mobile provider, according to Ofcom. With over 23 million customers, O2 runs 2G, 3G, and 4G networks across the UK, as well as operating O2 Wifi and owning half of Tesco Mobile. O2 has over 450 retail stores and sponsors The O2, O2 Academy venues, and the England rugby team. Read more about O2 at http://www.o2.co.uk/news.

Solution Partners showcasing 5G smart ambulance for remote consultation

Samsung

Samsung provided fastest S-series device the Galaxy S10 5G – offering users a powerful feature set along with the capability to connect to the next-generation 5G network for this use case. Samsung Electronics is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, they are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. Samsung is also leading in the Internet of Things space through, among others, their Smart Home and Digital Health initiatives. Since being established in 1969, Samsung Electronics has grown into one of the world’s leading technology companies, and become recognized as one of the top 10 global brands. Their network now extends across the world, and Samsung takes great pride in the creativity and diversity of its talented people, who drive our growth. To discover more, please visit their website at www.samsung.com and their official newsroom at news.samsung.com

Visionable

Visionable’s provided video and voice collaboration platform, including patented pixel-for-pixel picture quality (allowing for clearer and more accurate use in medical scenarios i.e. scans) for this use case. Visionable’s mission is to make healthcare more equitable and accessible for every person on the planet. Today, half the world lacks access to essential health services, and the systems that support the other half are under ever-increasing stress. At Visionable, they know that a person’s ability to get the care they need depends largely on their circumstances. Who they are. Where they live. And in many places, whether they’re able to pay. They believe this is fundamentally wrong. They believe that affordable, high-quality, timely healthcare is a basic human right. And to make care equitable and fair, it needs to be accessible to all. When hospitals can travel to patients and healthcare teams can collaborate freely across multiple locations, healthcare as we know it will be transformed. Connected healthcare is the future, and they work closely with teams across the UK – and around the world – to make it the new reality for all of us.

Launchcloud

Launchcloud provides versatile data collection app with automation, reporting, and communication tools, including API Integration with many applications such as Salesforce, OneDrive, and Microsoft Dynamics.

Use case showcase location and timeline

September 2019, Millbrook Proving Ground – a vehicle testing facility in Bedford, UK. O2 also provided devices and connectivity for a similar trial involving six ambulances at the East of England Ambulance Trust, led by Visionable, and funded by the UK’s innovation agency Innovate UK.

Benefits of remote consultation from smart ambulance

The below benefits are expected:

• Faster and more effective patient reatment
• Significant efficiency savings and
• Reduction of numbers in hospital visits

Derek McManus, COO at O2 said: “It’s no secret there is increasing pressure on our health services. Healthcare is one of the areas set to benefit most from 5G technology, with faster, more effective treatment, and significant efficiency savings. That’s why we’re supporting the Smart Ambulance trials as part of the AutoAir 5G project to accelerate the adoption of connected and self-driving technology and unlock the benefits of 5G for communities and businesses alike”.

Lynda Sibson, Stroke Telemedicine Manager East of England Stroke Telemedicine Stakeholder Partnership: “When someone has a stroke, every minute counts. We have been successfully working with Visionable to bring critical stroke care to patients wherever they are, bringing life-saving treatment and diagnosis to thousands of people across the East of England. Extending this type of care into Smart Ambulances is an exciting next step in critical and pre-hospital emergency care. Being able to bring experts to patients regardless of their location will help save lives, while reducing some of the strain on clinicians and the NHS.”

Paving the way for future intelligent medical transport systems

5G connectivity, along with supporting technologies such as video and voice collaboration platforms, will provide smooth communication between paramedics and remote consultants via HD video. If successful, the trial may pave the way for the future of intelligent medical transport systems. O2 research last year found that 5G video conferencing alone will free up 1.1 million hours per year for the NHS, as well as saving cities £463 million per year and decreasing overall bed occupancy rates by 6% through the adoption of wearing monitoring devices.