Assessment and analysis of territorial experiences in digital tele-echocardiography.

Nowadays digital ultrasound-cardiovascular devices are able to send out directly digital images and films. Thanks to the large adoption of such devices, the echocardiographic world is facing new ways of exchanging images and collaborating. What we present in this paper is a review of the experimental projects carried in Lombardy, meant to support the work of specialists by means of second opinion and telemedicine services. On the medical point of view echocardiography is a widely used activity where operators are perfectly accustomed to do repetitive operations and steps. Tele-echocardiography (T-E) introduces new methods and technologies into stable and everyday medical practice, causing disruptions either on the side of the specialists' way of working or on the new opportunities and service. Introducing such a service means to properly model it in order to reduce the changes in the operators' way of working while maximizing the benefits. A proper method of modelling the operators' needs is then a key factor which must be correctly addressed. This paper will present some successful projects and the assessment procedure but it will also discuss a possible service modelling method, which has been adopted for the described experiences.

Wireless-accessible sensor populations for monitoring biological variables.

The current health-care infrastructure is generally considered to be inadequate to meet the needs of an increasingly older population. We have investigated the feasibility of a passive in-home monitoring system based on wireless accessible sensor populations (WASP). In an EU-funded project we have identified the system architecture and the sensors required to gather data from elderly patients by continuous monitoring. Data from biological variables (heart rate, accelerometers, body temperature and galvanic skin response) and everyday habits (body position, movements) will be transmitted to a central monitoring centre. A Body Sensor Network (worn by the patient and able to communicate with a personal mobile hub) and an Ambient Sensor Network (a number of wireless sensors incorporated into the patient's home) are envisaged. The system will be tested by using it in the telemedicine activities of the Health Telematic Network, which manages home help projects for elderly patients.