UAB eMedicine launched a pilot tele-trauma program at Russell Medical and six UAB St. Vincent’s locations, including UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham, Blount, St. Clair, Chilton, East, and Trussville FED. The intention of the program is to provide timely access to trauma care for patients in rural communities.

“This pilot program will seek to enhance initial management of severely injured patients and expedite their transfer to a trauma center,” said Mohammad Zain Hashmi, MD, an assistant professor in the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and director of the UAB tele-trauma program. “Secondly, we aim to identify patients who can be safely discharged home, thereby avoiding costly interfacility transfers to UAB Trauma Center.”

This implementation will allow emergency department physicians at these locations to activate a tele-trauma consultation. This two-way audiovisual communication, initiated at the rural physician’s discretion, will allow for both physicians and patients to speak with the trauma surgeons at UAB. Upon review of the patient’s reports and condition, doctors can make more detailed decisions on whether a transfer is necessary or the patient can benefit from being discharged.

UAB doctors will be able to give recommendations for options such as short-term observations at the current facility and allow for follow-up evaluations to make better decisions without the need for in-person evaluations.

“By connecting local providers with UAB trauma surgeons in real time, UAB Tele-trauma can offer lifesaving expertise for patients, while also streamlining transfers when higher levels of care are needed,” said Matt Murphee, operations manager for UAB eMedicine.