Thiruvananthapuram: Aster Medcity has set a new benchmark in healthcare innovation by introducing what it claims to be the country’s first assisted reality ambulance. The latest 5G satellite technology-enabled ambulance is implemented with the help of Apothecary Medical Services, an independent firm providing entire critical care solutions to reach out to patients in pre-hospital setups.
The Assisted Reality Ambulance is a virtual emergency room on wheels that is equipped with state-of-the-art on-live Point of Care (POC) devices such as ABG, ECG, and USG, enabling instant screening and diagnosis of patients. Shashi Tharoor, MP, Thiruvananthapuram, launched the ambulance at an event conducted by Medcity at Thiruvananthapuram.
The ambulance has been designed with special features such as a crash cart door that can be accessed from the outside for treating casualties in disaster fields, and connected assisted reality smart glasses for live specialist support. The ambulance is also equipped with Wi-Fi-connected biomedical devices that transmit live dynamic data to specialists in the control room. With the support of specialists, patients are monitored and treated throughout the transit via technology.
“I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations on your vision and commitment to introducing this groundbreaking technology. This is truly a remarkable step forward in healthcare and emergency services, and it is clear that Aster Medcity’s leadership and dedication have played a significant role in making this a reality,” Tharoor said, launching the ambulance.
The point-of-care devices inside the ambulance transfer live patient parameters to the control room, including blood gases, internal bleeding images, ECG and stethoscope sounds. The 5G satellite streaming technology provides live access to the specialist's support, which results in early specialist intervention, better support for junior doctors, and better decision-making for treatment.
The 5G-enabled ambulance has been designed to load ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) and IABP (intra-aortic balloon pump), a type of therapeutic device helping the heart to pump more blood) together for the transfer of critically ill patients. Additionally, there are no curtains or papers in the ambulance, but smart glass windows and voice commands for better communication between the patient and the medical team. The ambulance has a centre-positioned patient stretcher and on-live connected devices. It is designed with a centre-positioned patient stretcher and on-live connected devices, making it unique in the ambulance industry. This feature enables the ambulance to function as a virtual emergency room with the specialist from the control room serving as the team leader.
“The Assisted Reality Ambulance is a testament to the potential of advanced technology in healthcare and how it can revolutionize the way we provide medical assistance. Aster Medcity is proud to be the first healthcare facility in India to introduce this state-of-the-art ambulance and looks forward to continuing to provide the highest quality healthcare services to patients,” said Farhaan Yasin, vice president, Aster India, Aster DM Healthcare.
One of the most notable features of the ambulance is its air suspension system, which enables the ambulance to lower its height and provide jolt-free superior comfort for patients. This scientifically engineered ambulance is inspired by aircraft designs to reduce motion sickness and better space utilization using jump seats. It is also engineered with crash cart doors accessible from outside for on-field casualty treatment and foldable wheelchairs for easy evacuation of victims from congested places.
“We are thrilled to launch the APOC system in partnership with Aster Group. This is a significant milestone for our team at Apothecary, and we believe that this technology has the potential to revolutionize emergency medicine in the region," said Dr Nadeem Sha Hamzath T A, CEO AND MD, Apothecary Medical Services LLP.
