Veteran's Administration Hospitals - Telemedicine Sites and Network

Introduction

The Veteran's Administration selected General Projection to provide its prototype video conferencing/telemedicine system.

This project was, essentially, a link between "smart conference rooms" at Haley VAMC and Bay Pines VAMC in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida. Analysis was done to determine the viability for fiber optically linking a large number of their sites for such uses.

Design

This telemedicine project encompassed two sub systems located almost 40 miles apart that are linked to each other via GTE's new videoconferencing fiber optic back bone.

The facilities were designed by General Projection to allow complete interactive telemedicine briefings including the use of transparencies, x-rays and microscope produced video along with the various audio programs (from microphones, cassette decks, etc.).

Both locations' conference room settings consist of a podium, conference tables, video projection (high resolution), presentation monitors, slide to video converter, controlled lighting, computer graphics and control (through a General Projection engineered workstation), audio and broadcast grade cameras for capturing signals and to allow the presenter and audience to be recorded and transmitted live during video conferences.

Each podium is equipped with a remote control (AMX) touch panel, dimmable reading lights, 8" preview monitor, microphone, slide-to-video converter and a video pointer.

The touch panel provides the presenter with complete control over all equipment, signal routing, teleconferencing status and level controls for volume, lights, etc. The interactive capabilities provided by the automated mixing system allow the audience to speak from their seats and to discuss interactively with presenters at the other facilities.

An active matrix router and Panasonic special effects generator allow for complete control over both what is presented locally and what is routed to the other site. Complete interconnectivity between the AMX systems (over RS-232/422 conversion ports on the transmission equipment) allows the other site to change between sources and make adjustments necessary for good communications.

Success

After the completion of the two Tampa area VAMC's, General Projection was hired to complete a similar project for the brand new medical center built in West Palm Beach, Florida.

As hoped for, the systems today are in use for improving the services these medical centers can provide to their patients.

Doctors routinely consult with each other through the "virtual conference rooms" that have been created here. Medical problems that once required the inefficient travel for a specialist now are handled in a fraction of the time saving time and, possibly, lives by allowing medical teams to review x-rays, microscopic images and graphic detail of challenges that they face.

Training and communication has been enhanced as senior medical personnel can now quickly and efficiently pass new information on for the benefit of all.

For more information on telemedicine system design and integration or other medical and training multimedia communications systems, please fill out our Information Request form or email us at Solutions@genproj.com