(18 Nov 2013)

(NATS)
LINDA FRISK IS BEING EVALUATED BY HER DOCTOR -- A DOCTOR WHO HAPPENS TO ELSEWHERE YET VERY MUCH PRESENT IN THE ROOM.
DIGNITY HEALTH HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN USING REMOTE PRESENCE ROBOTS LIKE THIS ONE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO MEDICAL SPECIALISTS.
SOUNDBITE: Linda Frisk, patient from Atwater, Calif.
"Yeah, it was like he was there. Although I am a little spoiled and like to see him in person."
THIS MODEL, THE RP-VITA BY IN-TOUCH HEALTH, CAN DRIVE ITSELF. DOCTORS CAN BEAM INTO THE MACHINE FROM THEIR COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS OR I-PADS.
SOUNDBITE: Dr. Asad Chaudhary, stroke neurologist, Mercy Medical Group
"It allows for very quick evaluation of these patients. It's just like being with the patient in the room. Of course, nothing can replace seeing these patients in person. But it's the next best thing."
DIGNITY HEALTH BEGAN USING THE ROBOTS SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO QUICKLY DIAGNOSE STROKE PATIENTS.
IT NOW USES THE MACHINES IN EMERGENCY ROOMS AND INTENSIVE-CARE UNITS AT MOST OF ITS 32 CALIFORNIA HOSPITALS.
SOUNDBITE: Alan Shatzel, medical director, Mercy Telehealth Network
"Literally, we compress time and space with this technology. No longer does distance affect a person's ability to access the best care possible."
DOCTORS SAY TELEMEDICINE MACHINES ALLOW THEM TO REACH MORE PEOPLE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
SOUNDBITE: Karsten Dengel, neurologist, Mercy Medical Group - on telemedicine device
"I can see way more patients this way, evaluate way more patients this way than if I restricted myself to my physical presence in a hospital."
ROBOTS CAN ALSO INCREASE MEDICAL ACCESS IN AREAS WHERE THERE AREN'T ENOUGH DOCTORS.
SOUNDBITE: Dr. Yulun Wang, CEO, InTouch Health - on robot
"Hospitals are now using this type of technology in order to leverage the specialists that they have even better and more efficiently."
AS MORE HOSPITALS ADOPT ROBOTS, BACKERS SAY TIME AND LOCATION WON'T BE BARRIERS TO QUALITY MEDICAL CARE.
TERRY CHEA, ASSOCIATED PRESS, CARMICHAEL, CALIFORNIA

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