Kimshealth Launches TeleTriage to Save Lives During Emergencies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
For the first time in Kerala, KIMSHEALTH has launched TeleTriage, an innovative life-saving initiative to support patients during emergencies like road accidents or some mishaps at home by providing real-time and round the clock expert medical advice from specialized doctors through video calls.

The TeleTriage system is designed to provide emergency medical help and assistance in the event of an accident on the road or some domestic accidents at home, and will be particularly helpful to the elderly people, pregnant women and children.

KIMSHEALTH, which has launched the initiative as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, provides TeleTriage absolutely free over the phone number 9567035522.

Dr M I Sahadulla, Group Chairman and Managing Director of KIMSHEALTH, said TeleTriage is a life-saving service that delivers quick medical advice and treatment in the event of an emergency. “The service has been initially launched in Thiruvananthapuram, and plans are afoot to expand it to other KIMSHEALTH units in the state,” he added.

Dr. Prameela Joji, TeleTriage Coordinator, said the advantage of the system is that it makes the most of technology to save lives during emergencies by ensuring timely treatment to the patients.

“Such a system is particularly helpful for those living alone,” noted Dr Prameela, who is also Paediatric Emergency and ICU Department Consultant.

This service exists in foreign countries and can save lives by providing real-time treatment advice, thus greatly reducing the time it takes to see a doctor in an emergency. Even as expert advice is given over video calls, the ambulance team of the hospital if required will arrive at the patient’s place and help him/her to reach the hospital as soon as possible.

The helpline phone number connects to the emergency department, which is linked to other key departments. Emergency physicians who offer swift advice are specialised in the American Heart Association’s courses like BLS (Basic Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardio-Vascular Life Support), PALS (Paediatric Advance Life Support), and ATLS (Advance Trauma Life Support).

Along with Dr Prameela, Dr Shamim, Head of the Emergency Department, and Sangeetha, Emergency Nursing Coordinator, are at the helm of TeleTriage.

The services of an Emergency Adult Physician and Emergency Paediatric Physician are available round the clock. The dedicated phone number should be used only in an emergency. People may save the helpline number on their mobile phones, but it is equally important not to misuse the number as it provides an emergency and life-saving service.