II. Method of Medical Communication on Board
1 Method of medical communication at sea
When an emergency case occurs on board, a communique requesting medical advice is transmitted for appropriate treatment after checking the symptoms and first aid. The ways to send this notice can be divided into four categories: 1]direct communication via Inmarsat (maritime satellite), 2]communications via coastal radio stations, 3]communications via companies and others, and 4]direct communications via ship telephone.
Due to high quality and rapid service, no fees for handling medical advice, and other advantages Inmarsat is a commonly used channel. Communications via Inmarsat are explained here in detail.
2 Communicating via Inmarsat
At present, four Inmarsats (maritime satellites) are in use around the earth. By using these Inmarsats that are located above the equator over the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean, information can be immediately transmitted from any place of the globe.
In Japan, communication services via Inmarsat are provided by KDD. KDD Yamaguchi Earth Station covers the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean area while KDD Burum Earth Station covers the Atlantic Ocean. By setting up an earth station on board a ship, communication becomes possible via maritime satellite. The medical facilities providing medical advice through Inmarsat communications are shown in the Attachment (P123). Seamen's Insurance Radio Medical Center is presently the only facility in Japan that is equipped with a telex to provide radio medical advice. Rapid communications via Inmarsat are possible through telex, telephone, and facsimile in the same way as ground based communications. The call number and the method of connection are detailed here.
32#…… Communication of a request for medical advice (for seeking a doctor's advice)
*see the Procedures for Medical Communications
Pacific/Indian Ocean (Yamaguchi)→ manual connection to a medical facility
Atlantic Ocean → automatic connection to the Seamen's Insurance Radio Medical Center
38#…… Communication of a request for medical assistance (for requiring immediate transport of a patient to land, for requesting a rescue helicopter, etc. from the Rescue Coordination Center)
Pacific/Indian Ocean (Yamaguchi)→ manual connection to a hospital/the Rescue Coordination Center
Atlantic Ocean → automatic connection to the Dutch Coast Guard
3 Remote medical assistance system
A system for communicating an animated image between a ship and a medical facility through the Inmarsat B system has currently been developed. The system also allows for the transmission of medical advice on treatment via images and vocal instructions. Readings for EKGs, blood pressure, and determination of blood oxygen concentration can be made available simultaneously. It also became possible to make a diagnosis or prescribe treatment based on an image of the affected region through a video camera. For this system, accessories such as a dynamic image transmit-receive unit are needed
