The Value of a Properly Stocked Medical Chest and Equipped Telemedicine Kit

A properly equipped telemedicine kit assists the remote medical specialist (doctor) in making a more accurate diagnosis, allowing them to provide better medical care and to reduce the likelihood of diversions. This is a significant enhancement compared to the doctor using a phone to talk with the patient or the Designated Medical Officer (DMO) listening to them describe the situation and making a diagnosis based on that they are being told. 

Having the ability to use a video conferencing application in a telemedicine kit increases the chances that the right diagnosis is made. The telemedicine kit ‘virtually’ brings the doctor to the patient’s bedside. Together, the doctor (your private physician or contracted medical specialist) and the DMO (which can be either a trained crew or family member) work together as a team to diagnose and treat the patient effectively.  

Although crew and certain family members (especially family members with children or parents with special medical needs) should be familiar with the contents of a medical chest and the operation of a telemedicine kit, they may forget their training during an emergency situation due to the heightened emotion that occurs in these scenarios. 

They may have never been trained in the use of a medical chest or telemedicine kit, or they just don’t deal with emergencies that well. Either way, the simple color-coded layout of a medical chest makes it easy for the doctor to guide the DMO in selecting the correct bandage or medication. An intuitive, easy to use telemedicine kit with remote control features, allowing the doctor to remotely activate and control certain features on the kit, which can ease some of the burden placed on the DMO while they are dealing with the patient.

The doctor can remotely record the video and command the camera to take a still image, automatically sending it to their computer desktop so they can study it more closely. This not only captures the specific image the doctor wants to see for closer examination, but it also alleviates the DMO from performing an unnecessary task and allows them to continue to focus on positioning the camera and the patient’s comfort.  

If the doctor determines there is an infection, they can refer to the medical chest inventory list, and guide the DMO in the quick selection of the proper antibiotic and recommended dressing using the chest’s color-coded labeling system. 

Telemedicine kits are a communication and diagnostic tool, and when combined with a properly stocked medical chest, they become part of the overall medical solution. Together with the doctor and DMO, the level of medical care for your crew and family is significantly enhanced and contribute to a safe and enjoyable voyage.

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