WiMAX telemedicine system for emergence medical service

The conviction of "the golden first hour" and "the platinum ten minutes" has been the model professional standard of emergency medical assistance. However, in many countries, the medical services are not up to the standard. A telemedicine system, based on WiMAX wireless technology, is proposed for emergency medical assistance and to implement in the ambulance. The system is specially designed for improving efficiency of emergency service thus reaching the standard. Since WiMAX provides broadband access and high data rate, it caters for the most adverse condition demanding good latency and high bandwidth. The OFDM nature of WiMAX also equips itself the best candidate to combat channel fading, thus offering high mobility. Moreover, as WiMAX delivers high power and good sensitivity, citywide coverage can be provided. Therefore it is an excellent technology for life saving applications in a travelling ambulance. The incentive to enhance the efficiency is brought by the mobility and broadband access. The proposed system improves efficiency in a number of ways. This paper will further present the possibilities to shorten the emergency period and arrange medical treatment prior to the arrival at hospital. Invaluable lives can be saved by keeping the standard of "the platinum ten minutes" in first aid. Besides, early treatment is the key to a cure, such a system should bring about a revolutionary reform for the medical systems and will reduce the medical insurance significantly. ©2009 IEEE.