A new high-tech ambulance will, from Tuesday, transport patients with serious conditions to and from hospitals across Belgium to guarantee the most advanced care possible.
There are certain medical situations, such as when a baby is in urgent need of neonatal intensive care or a 60-year-old with a sudden stroke is in need of neurosurgical intervention that cannot be provided by just any hospital.
From Tuesday, patients at the university hospital in Jette (UZ Brussel) who are in need of such help can rely on a specialised transport team of doctors, nurses and ambulance staff to get to another hospital.
"The goal? To make the best, most advanced care available to every patient, including outside the UZ Brussel, during transport to and from other hospitals," UZ Brussel wrote in a statement.
Tailor-made care
The ambulance, custom-designed and built for UZ Brussel, is the first of its kind in Europe and can be tailored to the specific needs of patients, from those weighing just 300g to 300kg.
As well as being able to fit a stretcher, the vehicle has seven seats to "accommodate the most specialised teams with different areas of expertise." The vehicle's interior can also be adjusted to meet the needs of patients and caregivers.
Credit: UZ Brussel / VUB
"After all, a premature baby, a sick child, a sixty-year-old requiring neurosurgery after a stroke, or a patient weighing 300 kg and requiring complex care all need a different approach and environment."
On the inside, the vehicle looks like a room in intensive care or a small operating theatre, allowing healthcare workers to provide the same quality of care. "This care environment is like a hospital, but inside a car," the hospital explained.
Going above and beyond
In addition to the regular equipment expected in an ambulance, the vehicle also includes a Proximus connection, which runs over the 5G network and allows super-fast data exchange, to ensure doctors and nurses can remain in direct contact with the hospitals concerned during the journey.
"The 5G-connected ambulance offers an innovative way to connect patients, ambulance providers, and medical experts remotely and in real-time," said Enterprise Market Lead at Proximus, Anne-Sophie Lotgering.
"This project shows how different technologies (5G, IoT, AR) can be brought together and have a powerful impact in supporting healthcare providers and improving patient care across all ambulance services."
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Moreover, all occupants of the vehicle – including the patient – are given headsets, and various cameras are installed on the inside.
"By combining these and the use of Augmented Reality (AR) Glasses, healthcare providers outside the hospital literally have a view of the situation inside," the hospital explained.
