The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the midst of a pilot program that uses a tablet technology designed to help healthcare providers, such as home health nurses, document the progress of patients’ healing.Christopher Menzie, public affairs specialist for VA’s San Diego Healthcare System, wrote in a blog post published Nov. 16 the tablet platform features built-in digital cameras, three-dimensional sensors and a computer vision software that works to capture and measure wound sizes to help track the effectiveness of recovery programs.
Menzie added he believes such tablet has potential applications for home-, clinic- and procedure center-based primary and nursing care services in the dermatology, orthopedics, podiatry and prosthetics specialized areas.
The device works to collect and transmit medical information to a cloud-based electronic repository that providers can remotely access to assist treatment planning efforts.
The image and wound data storage and forwarding modality seeks to integrate the utilization of telehealth systems and increase veterans’ access to healthcare services, Menzie noted.
VA San Diego Healthcare System expanded the pilot program for use in clinical settings.
