| 4. In which ways is the initiative creative and innovative?
|
|
See Attached
|
|
| 5. Who implemented the initiative and what is the size of the population affected by this initiative?
|
|
This an internal idea of the KZN Departement of Health. Specialist in the receiving site are full time employed by the Department. The following are involved Team from Telehealth and Information Technology Directorate of KZN Department of Health.
Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital - Team from Radiology Unit.
ISDN/ADSL is provided by Telkom
|
| 6. How was the strategy implemented and what resources were mobilized?
|
|
TECHNICAL - The project is funded within normal budget of the Department under ICT directorate.
Equipment is funded within Health Technology budget (CT scanners)
HUMAN RESOURCES - Specialists in receiving site-Inkosi Albert Luthuli. The initiative has past the project phase into programme since year 2004 and each year is budgeted with ICT budget of the Department
Therefore it is sustanable.
|
|
| 7. Who were the stakeholders involved in the design of the initiative and in its implementation?
|
|
Teleradiology project/programme is an intergral part of radiological health services of the Department.
And part of the strategic objectives.
The project contributed to improved quality of care, customer satisfation and improved clinical mentorship for junior doctor,
who no longer have to work single handedly.
|
|
| 8. What were the most successful outputs and why was the initiative effective?
|
|
vLooking for early wins. Department will set goals and then work methodically to achieve them, monitoring telemedicine successes, and looking for ways to expand upon programs and initiatives that work.
Department established the "Radiology Managers Forum" and Telemedicine Steering Committee" where progress of implementation of the strategy is discussed.
|
|
| 9. What were the main obstacles encountered and how were they overcome?
|
|
The use of ISDN network makes CT scan images to transmit very slow. The pressure has continued to climb and we have sight of further complaints for the Radiologists in that they are claiming that due to the link not performing suitably their work load has increased plus they are raising concerns around patient care. (over radiation due to additional scans being required)
ADLS network was a suitable option to ISDN but it was not available in some rural area. Another challenge is copper cable theft which causes interruptions to the project. We are now installalling wireless network.
DICOM tags were a problem as it was not clear at the receiving site who was a patient since there was no unique identifier from sending hospital. This was resolved by making changes on the DICOM tags i.e. "first three letters of the hospital and patient name"
|