Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals Kolkata has introduced the first-ever 5G-connected Ambulance service in India. This advanced ambulance is specially designed with cutting-edge medical equipment, patient monitoring apps, and telemetry devices to efficiently transmit the patient’s health data to the hospital with minimal delay.
This is not the first time Apollo has done this tech initiative with 5G networks. In a collaborative effort, Airtel, Apollo Hospitals, and AWS conducted India’s first trial of a 5G-driven colonoscopy last year.
The ambulance is equipped with onboard cameras and connected care technology provided by HealthNet Global Limited, an affiliate of Apollo Hospitals. The 5G-connected Ambulance offers significant advantages in critical situations:
Seamless Hospital Connectivity
Utilizing the high-speed and low-latency 5G network, the ambulance maintains constant communication with the hospital’s command center.
This enables real-time geo-location tracking, ensuring the closest ambulance reaches the critical patient quickly. The ambulance also transmits the patient’s complete telemetry data to doctors, enabling timely decisions and better preparedness upon arrival.
Virtual Presence of ER Specialists
With near real-time camera feeds, the ambulance allows collaboration between paramedics and ER specialists at the hospital. This virtual presence enables expert guidance during procedures, optimizing patient care and saving lives.
Commenting at the occasion, Dr. K Hari Prasad, President-Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, said:
Apollo Hospitals is committed to ensuring community access to essential healthcare services. The introduction of 5G-connected ambulances represents a significant advancement in technology, enabling immediate access to critical medical care for seriously ill and injured individuals.
This initiative allows for advanced care right from the location of the patient, throughout their journey to the hospital, and even within the Emergency room. It is a groundbreaking effort that will play a vital role in saving lives.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr Surinder Singh Bhatia, Director Medical Service, Apollo Hospitals, Kolkata, said:
The “Golden Hour” is crucial for seriously ill or trauma patients in an emergency, as it can determine whether they live or die. The effectiveness of this critical hour depends on the ambulance facilities and the distance to the hospital. Research has shown that longer journeys to the hospital increase the risk of mortality, with a 10-kilometer increase in distance resulting in approximately a 1% higher chance of death.
Instead of relying solely on pre-hospital management, we have recognized the importance of reaching patients early for timely care. That’s why we introduced the 5G-connected ambulance, which serves as a mobile hospital. By utilizing its uninterrupted and fast connectivity, we can start providing essential care to patients right where they are. This insight has led us to embrace the 5G-connected ambulance and leverage its lag-free connectivity to improve patient outcomes.