Research hub 5Tonic, SAMUR-PC and Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M) have developed a new system for emergency situations using 5G networks, the next generation of cellular wireless technology.
The demonstration of the system was used to show how the 5G network could reduce the time of action and minimize errors during an emergency situation that could lead to a higher percentage of patient survival. The system allows for a patient’s medical data such as pulse and blood test values to be displayed on a doctor or EMS’ augmented reality glasses to make informed decisions on the attending patient. Diagnosis and emergency treatment can be customized and the system could even have the patient’s medical history available in real-time.
Researchers said the augmented reality glasses show emergency service personnel how to get to a geographical position where the patient is, shows the patient’s clinical parameters in real time and, when necessary, shows how to facilitate medical decisions and sends a video stream of the emergency site to remote centers or doctors who can help in a specific case.
The system can do this using the fast download speeds of 5G as well as edge computing. The system uses a smartwatch mobile device that monitors a patient and connects to a 5G mobile network and then emergency equipment and firefighters are alerted to the status of patients. The ambulances and firefighters are equipped with technology that allows real-time monitoring to obtain additional information through the augmented reality glasses.
"Solutions like this decrease response times. We currently need almost three minutes to handle an emergency call. In the first place, it must be located, codified and prioritized,” said Javier Quiroga, head of the organization support division of SAMUR-PC. “Then, we select the best resource, mobilize and confirm that it is directed towards the patient. Sometimes, if it is a complicated place of access, additional time is needed to locate it. This technology could save us these three minutes of the process. 23% of SAMUR-PC patients who have suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest recover without sequelae. We would like this technology to allow us to increase at least ten percentage points these figures.”
This pilot project follows a similar project that is being undertaken by Verizon to include 5G services and emergency services. Verizon has started a 5G First Responder Lab in order to accelerate the process of using 5G networks in conjunction with firefighters, police and ambulances.
