A Prospective Investigation of the impact of Telemedicine and Telemetry on Global Medical Evacuation rates

J Occup Environ Med. 2022 Aug 22. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002684. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study examines if the availability of telemedicine on offshore installations reduces medical evacuation rates.

METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study on offshore platforms in the United States (US), Malaysia (MY) and the United Kingdom (UK). Emergency evacuation rates were compared between locations with telemedicine (US) and two control groups without telemedicine (MY, UK).

RESULTS: 384 cases in the telemedicine group and 261 cases in the control groups were included. The odds (adjusted and unadjusted) of medical evacuation were significantly higher for assets without telemedicine, contractors, and age > 60 years. Analysis indicated a shift from emergency evacuation to routine transport for the telemedicine group.

CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine reduces emergency medical evacuations from offshore installations. This reduction is likely due to an increased capacity for transforming emergency care into routine care at the offshore location.

PMID:35993607 | DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002684