When selecting hardware and equipment, this should be guided by the most appropriate hardware to meet clinical workflow requirements and consumer needs.
Below is a range of equipment requirements for clinical videoconferencing with different consumer cohorts and settings, including examples of use.
Minimum equipment requirements
- PC or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Up-to-date computer software
- Web cam (inbuilt or USB)
- Speaker and microphone, or headset
Additional equipment to optimise the experience
- Dual screens
- Videoconferencing endpoint
Minimum equipment requirements
- Mobile workstation, i.e. computer on wheels or tablet
- Stable internet connection
- Up-to-date computer software that enables audiovisual link
- Web cam (inbuilt or USB)
- Speaker and microphone, or headset
- Camera with pan-tilt-zoom capability
- Dual screens
- Ability for remote-end clinicians to operate camera
Additional equipment to optimise the experience
- Virtual diagnostic or imaging machine
- Videoconferencing endpoint
Minimum equipment requirements
- Smartphone, tablet or laptop (optimal)
- Stable internet connection and data plan (a mobile router may be needed to enhance connectivity)
- Up-to-date computer software
- Speaker and microphone, or headset
Technology is a key enabler of multidisciplinary reviews and case conferencing. Participants can be co-located across a facility or multiple facilities and locations.
Case conference participants can include health (including the consumer’s primary care provider), social or educational providers and where appropriate, the health consumer, their family and carers.
The capability requirements of the platform will need to be determined, such as the ability to share images, high-quality render of image, sound with video, recording, transcript and attendee list.
Consult your virtual care manager or lead to determine the most appropriate hardware. This is because virtual case conference models require strong partnerships, and may need funding and coordination across sites.
The use of virtual reality in virtual care is an emerging area supporting healthcare and education in NSW Health.
For example, virtual reality devices have been incorporated into the treatment of chronic pain. Guiding the consumer through calming virtual surrounds, providing instruction on mindfulness, and assisting cognitive behavioural therapy have improved health outcomes. Virtual reality supports pain reduction strategies by reducing stress, anxiety, fear, and depression while distracting the brain from receiving pain signals.
For recommendations in scoping virtual reality technology and opportunities, consult your virtual care manager or lead.
With technology advancements, the hardware available for NSW Ambulance and retrieval services is constantly evolving. If your service requires assistance with connecting to NSW Ambulance or retrieval services to support clinical escalation pathways, consult your virtual care manager or lead.
Every consumer will have access to different devices, depending on their needs. In the development of new services, it is important to consider the consumer devices required to support access.
It is reasonable to expect that consumers may have access to a phone or mobile phone but it may not be a smartphone. Your virtual care manager or lead can provide guidance on compatible devices, if required.
Additionally, remote monitoring services shouldn’t expect that all consumers have access to required devices. Provision of specialised hardware may be required, and costs associated should be factored in.
Critical Care Overbed Network
The Critical Care Overbed Network (CCON) is a custom-built secure web portal managed by eHealth NSW, which provides higher quality images and video stream. It is robust, easy to use and intuitive.
Critical care overbed cameras enable immediate, round-the-clock access to specialist advice to help local clinicians determine the best way to manage a consumer’s care.
Relevant specialists, located offsite, are able to access the panoramic cameras remotely through the CCON to:
- view live stream
- control the camera
- take screenshots
- access cameras across multiple local health districts/specialty health networks.
The CCON enables a consistent approach across NSW Health.
Your virtual care manager or lead can provide further information on CCON.