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Publication AbstractsThe Benefits of Integrating Internet Technology with Standard Communications for Telemedicine in Extreme EnvironmentsBrett M. Harnett, B.S., Richard Satava, M.D., Peter Angood, M.D., Nathaniel R. Merriam, B.F.A., Charles R. Doarn, M.B.A., and Ronald C. Merrell, M.D.Aviat Space Environ Med 2001; 72:1132-7 AbstractThe ability to continuously monitor the vital signs of a person can be beneficial especially if the environment is hazardous or a person simply has general health concerns. We wanted to ascertain if, by integrating the Internet, ubiquitous switching technologies and off-the-shelf tools, this "suite of services" could provide a topology to enable remote monitoring in extreme and remote locations. An evaluation of this approach was conducted at the base camp of Mount Everest in the spring of 1999. Three climbers were outfitted with wireless, wearable sensors and transmitters for 24 h as they ascended through the Khumbu Icefall toward Camp One. The physiologic data was forwarded to the receiving station at Base Camp where it was forwarded to the U.S. mainland. Two of the three devices delivered physiologic data 95%-100% of the time while the third unit operated at only 78%. According to the climbers, the devices were unobtrusive, however, any additional weight while climbing Everest must provide advantage.Keywords: GPS, Internet, Mount Everest, telemedicine. Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 72, Number 12 of the ASME journal.
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