Rheinland-Pfalz will be a pioneer in telemedicine

telemedicine - Rheinland-Pfalz will be a pioneer in telemedicine

Rurally structured Rhineland-Palatinate is the first federal state to introduce tele-paramedics statewide. Paramedics can then call on physicians via a special device during their emergency responses and carry out their instructions. "We want to protect the valuable resource of a paramedic," said Interior Minister Michael Ebling (SPD) in an interview with the German Press Agency in Mainz. "The paramedic can be anywhere, there just need to be enough of them for the entire area."

Teleparamedics can also call in other specialists, such as for example a lung specialist, in individual cases. The next step towards a statewide offering is expected to take place in the second half of 2024. The experiences with the pilot project since 2023 at the BG Unfallklinik in Ludwigshafen have been positive throughout. Trier is expected to be the next to join. Talks are already underway with Unimedizin in Mainz, the Bundeswehr Central Military Hospital in Koblenz, and the Westpfalz Clinic in Kaiserslautern.

Start of the pilot project one year ago in Ludwigshafen

"The teleparamedic is meant to supplement," said Ebling about one year ago at the start of the pilot project in Ludwigshafen. "Paramedics are on site with their eyes, ears, and hands, the teleparamedic supports from the emergency medical center with expert advice when every second counts." Experiences from other federal states have shown that such telemedical assessments can save unnecessary hospital transports for some patients and patients. This relieves emergency departments at the same time.

1. In addition to partnering with Unimedizin in Mainz and other hospitals, the Interior Ministry in Rhineland-Palatinate is exploring the integration of telemedicine into their emergency response services, following the successful teleparamedic pilot project in Ludwigshafen.
2. During an emergency response, a paramedic in Rhineland-Palatinate can utilize telemedicine to consult with a specialist, such as a lung specialist, for specialized advice, enhancing the quality of care provided.
3. The SPD-led Interior Ministry in Rhineland-Palatinate, represented by Minister Michael Ebling, proactively advocates for the use of telemedicine in emergency situations, aiming to preserve the value of paramedic services and ensure wider coverage across the state.
4. According to the German Press Agency, Ebling emphasized that paramedics serve as the 'eyes, ears, and hands' on the scene, while the teleparamedic lends expert advice from the emergency medical center, saving time and potentially preventing unnecessary hospital visits for some patients.
5. Telemedicine has shown potential to improve healthcare services in various German federal states, with Rhineland-Palatinate being the first to implement it statewide for paramedics, thereby promoting innovative approaches to healthcare delivery, including telemedicine and emergency medicine.
6. The rationale behind the introduction of telemedicine in Rhineland-Palatinate's emergency response system is to optimize patient care, reduce hospital overcrowding in emergency departments, and make the most of valuable medical resources such as physicians and paramedics.

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