New ultrasound technology offers rural Sask. mothers access to virtual care
A new research initiative from Jim Pattison’s Hospital (JPH) is making access to ultrasound appointments easier for expectant mothers in rural parts of the province.
The MELODY Telerobotic Ultrasound System is the largest telerobotic ultrasound program in the world, a news release from JPH said.
Dr. Ivar Mendez, director of the virtual care and remote presence robotics program, says the research initiative will bring essential services to remote and rural areas.
Mendez says for mothers living in areas where ultrasound technology isn’t available the MELODY system allows a sonographer to manipulate a probe and remotely perform an ultrasound to patients without having to travel long distances.
“For me, the amazing thing is that an individual can move a probe in Saskatoon and the probe will actually move 600 kilometers away in another community in real time,” Mendes said on Thursday.
The technology has been installed in Gravelbourg, La Loche, Stony Rapids and Pelican Narrows and has provided over 300 ultrasound scans, 80 per cent of them being obstetrical ultrasounds.
“A mother doesn’t have to travel eight hours to Saskatoon, be in a hotel, waiting for an ultrasound,” Mendez said.
Leaving a rural community for an ultrasound appointment can often mean patients have to take time off of work, find childcare for their other children and costly travel.
“There are significant barriers there, so by and large people are so thankful they can have it done in their community,” said Nadine Kanigan, director at The Ultrasound Centre in Saskatoon.
The telerobotic system has some limitations as it does require an internet connection.
“Obviously there’s limitations because I have to tell someone how to make some of the bigger movements with the ultrasound camera. Where if I was in the room with a patient, I would just be doing that on my own.”
The technology is only available in four locations right now, but the hospital does plan to expand to other communities in the province down the road.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.