The Brazilian Ministry of Health visited the Telehealth Center of the Hospital Clínicas (HC) of the Federal University of Mina Gerais (UFMG), in order to learn about the experience of teleelectrocardiogram systems and implement them in ambulances throughout the country.
At the UFMG Telehealth Center, teleelectrocardiogram systems have been developed and implemented, for which the Federal Ministry of Health seeks to identify how these systems can be replicated for the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) at the national level.
“The UFMG Telehealth Center has more than a decade of experience in the implementation of heart attack networks and teleelectrocardiogram services, including emergency electrocardiograms, whose response time is up to 10 minutes. The minister's intention is that we assume the teleelectrocardiogram service in advanced support ambulances throughout the country, which must be agreed with the Ministry of Health in the coming months," explained Antônio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro, head of the Management Sector. of Research and Technological Innovation of the HC.
The Federal Government's strategy is to expand the quality of emergency care for heart problems. They already have a hotline for Acute Myocardial Infarction, which provides emergency care throughout the country. Another strategy is to collaborate with emergency telemedicine systems belonging to public universities, this will allow telecardiology assistance to Samu doctors and paramedics throughout the country.
“The Ministry of Health will provide the EKG and will also equip the ambulances and train the teams. For this, we need this information from UFMG. Here at HC there is a structured service in the area of telecardiology that managed to expand access to electrocardiograms, favoring the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes”, said the Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga.
Telehealth Center
The UFMG Telehealth Center is one of the remote medical care projects with the greatest reach nationwide. In this, different technologies have been implemented to complete telediagnosis in cardiology, ophthalmology and pulmonology. In addition, it offers general teleconsultation and direct teleconsultation services for cases of COVID-19.
In their remote electrocardiogram systems, they have performed approximately 5.7 million assists. Work that has been possible thanks to the work of its more than 100 employees, including health professionals, IT professionals and managers.
On the other hand, UFMG has a tele-education system, through which it conducts courses, web classes, for training and distance learning.
