BellSouth And Vanderbilt University Use Advanced Imaging and High-Speed Data Technologies to Help Prevent Blindness Caused by Diabetes.Health/Medical Writers ATLANTA--(BW HealthWire)--March 26, 2002 State-of-the-Art Imaging and Secure, Reliable Data Technology Enable Affordable, Expert Eye Screening For Diabetics BellSouth (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : BLS See Bureau of Labor Statistics. ) and Vanderbilt University Medical Center The Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a collection of several hospitals and clinics associated with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. It comprises the following units:[2]
The comprehensive solution allows doctors in remote clinics, who may not be able to detect early signs of diabetes-induced blindness, to send images of patients' retinas to experts at the Vanderbilt Ophthalmic Imaging Center (VOIC VOIC Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (United East India Company) ) in Nashville, Tennessee “Nashville” redirects here. For other uses, see Nashville (disambiguation). Nashville is the capital and the second most populous city of the U.S. state of Tennessee, after Memphis. . Highly trained medical personnel at VOIC examine the images and determine if any abnormalities exist that could result in permanent eye damage. "Every day in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , 50 people go blind from diabetes because they didn't obtain the proper care," said Lawrence Merin, director of Vanderbilt Ophthalmic Imaging Center. "Annual retinal examinations are vital to preventing blindness in diabetes patients, but not every diabetic patient obtains this standard of care. We have an opportunity to combine science and technology in order to prevent one of the most prevalent effects of diabetes...loss of eyesight." The BellSouth networking technology enables doctors in outlying clinics to take detailed, high-resolution images of patients' retinas and use a high-speed DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary or frame relay A high-speed packet switching protocol used in wide area networks (WANs). Providing a granular service of up to DS3 speed (45 Mbps), it has become popular for LAN to LAN connections across remote distances, and services are offered by most major carriers. data connection to send the digital images directly to the VOIC. By combining imaging technologies, Vanderbilt's leading ophthalmic care and BellSouth's high-speed data solutions, diabetic patients unable to come to a major medical center now have access to this innovative new model of healthcare Vanderbilt offers. "We are excited to be part of an endeavor that uses technology to improve the quality of life for people in our communities," said Joan Kratz, vice president of marketing for BellSouth Business. "BellSouth will continue to support Vanderbilt's efforts to provide the highest level of healthcare to people throughout the Southeast region and across the country." "Because of BellSouth's telecommunications capabilities and its alliances and teaming agreements, there are no geographical impediments to offering this kind of service throughout the U.S., Canada, Central and South America South America, fourth largest continent (1991 est. pop. 299,150,000), c.6,880,000 sq mi (17,819,000 sq km), the southern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. and overseas," Merin added. The networking solution Vanderbilt and BellSouth implemented is an effective means of providing patients in remote locations greater access to medical specialists. By leveraging the scale and coverage of BellSouth's high-speed metro data network infrastructure, remote clinics, in ether urban or rural areas, can connect directly to the Nashville hospital and access the most up-to-date medical information and patient records. Vanderbilt has already deployed the high-speed data and imaging technology in two remote clinics in Nashville, TN. About Vanderbilt University Medical Center Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the largest private employer in Nashville, is a major referral center for the Southeast and nation. It is made up of Vanderbilt University Hospital, The Vanderbilt Clinic, Vanderbilt Medical Group, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, and Vanderbilt School of Nursing. The Medical Center employs more than 8,000 people and generates a regional economic impact of more than $1 billion annually. Among the unique services offered by VUMC VUMC Vanderbilt University Medical Center VUMC Vassar United Methodist Church (Vassar, MIchigan) to the community are the Burn Center, Level I Trauma Center In the United States, a Level I trauma center provides the highest level of surgical care to trauma patients. A Level I trauma center is required to have a certain number of surgeons and anesthesiologists on duty 24 hours a day at the hospital, an education program, , LifeFlight helicopter ambulance service, the Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Noun 1. neonatal intensive care unit - an intensive care unit designed with special equipment to care for premature or seriously ill newborn NICU ICU, intensive care unit - a hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care , the state's only National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Middle Tennessee Poison Center. In addition to its activities in patient care and education of medical and nursing professionals, VUMC also is known as a research center, with its faculty members having been awarded two Nobel Prizes for Medicine. About BellSouth Corporation BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, GA, serving 46 million customers in the United States and 14 other countries. Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides a full array of broadband data and e-commerce solutions to business customers, including Web hosting and other Internet services. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access, advanced voice features and other services. BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services, including BellSouth(R) Real Pages(SM).com. BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative wireless data and voice services. |
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