The use of drones for the delivery of diagnostic test kits and medical supplies to remote First Nations communities during Covid-19.
Am J Infect Control
; 50(8): 849-856, 2022 08.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2000225
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Health care inequity in remote and rural Indigenous communities often involves difficulty accessing health care services and supplies. Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, or drones, offer a potentially cost-effective method for reducing inequity by removing geographic barriers, increasing timeliness, and improving accessibility of supplies, equipment, and remote care.METHODS:
We assessed the feasibility of drones for delivery of supplies, medical equipment, and medical treatment across multiple platforms, including drone fleet development and testing; payload system integration (custom fixed-mount, winch, and parachute); and medical delivery simulations (COVID-19 test kit delivery and return, delivery of personal protective equipment, and remote ultrasound delivery and testing).RESULTS:
Drone operational development has led to a finalized, scalable fleet of small to large drones with functional standard operating procedures across a range of scenarios, and custom payload systems including a fixed-mount, winch-based and parachute-based system. Simulation scenarios were successful, with COVID-19 test swabs returned to the lab with no signal degradation and a remote ultrasound successfully delivered and remotely guided in the field. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS:
Drone-based medical delivery models offer an innovative approach to addressing longstanding issues of health care access and equity and are particularly relevant in the context of SARS-CoV-2.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Infect Control
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.ajic.2022.03.004
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