Oil rig companies are increasingly using telemedicine via Internet or satellite connections to link their workers to emergency medical physicians at major medical facilities, according to an article in the journal Telemedicine and e-Health, United Press International reports.
Access to medical care on oil rigs often is limited.
Jobs on oil rigs can put workers at risk for several ailments, including:
Injuries like cuts, fractures and sprains; and
Medical conditions like heart attacks, respiratory infections and asthma.
Oil rigs can be equipped with several types of telemedicine capabilities, including:
Blood pressure monitors;
EKG machines;
Glucose meters;
Pulse taximeters; and
Thermometers.
Physicians can visually examine patients on the oil rigs using a photograph transmitted by a smartphone, webcam and other two-way communication tools (United Press International, 8/9).
