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VGA2Ethernet as a Powerful Solution for Telepharmacy Systems

Although the scope of telemedicine comprises various fields of technology, it most commonly describes the practice of medicine using videoconferencing, and the Internet. A new delivery system type is emerging within pharmacy, and it allows both enhancing patient care and providing a new revenue stream for pharmacy operators. Telepharmacy offers an opportunity to provide pharmaceutical care through the use of telecommunications to patients at remote locations. Such systems make it possible for pharmacy technicians working in stores in remote or rural locations to deliver medications to customers after the prescription has been processed and approved by a pharmacist working from a central pharmacy location. Reliable video capturing equipment allows specialists to benefit from sharing networked systems, resources and growing telehealth utilization. VGA2Ethernet from Epiphan Systems has a big potential to be used in telepharmacy and stand up to today’s healthcare challenges.

Principles of Telepharmacy

telepharmacy systems

Small clinics or pharmacies in remote areas are connected to a central pharmacy through video communication systems. The efficiencies achieved by pharmacists can make it possible for small towns to keep their drug stores open and their residents supplied with the medications they need. Patients bring their prescriptions to the remote sites, which are staffed by either nurses or pharmacy technicians, depending on whether the rural site is clinic or a pharmacy. The central pharmacist provides oversight via video capturing systems and processes the prescription sent from the site. The pharmacy technician scans the bar code matching the prescription with its label, attaches the label, and dispenses it to the patient. Retaining the active role of the pharmacist helps assure the delivery of high quality and safe pharmacy services that can be at risk when the pharmacist is left out as in the case of mail-order pharmacies. VGA2Ethernet is connected to the digital or analog camera via DVI/VGA ports. It sends captured video and audio data over Ethernet at a high diagnostic quality resolution up to 1920x1200. The central pharmacist can view the broadcasted video through the target computer with an Internet access and conduct a consultation with the patient. For those who need to record and archive consultations with patients and details of interaction with pharmacy technicians, Medirecorder from Mediphan aims to be a good alternative. This solution not only captures and broadcasts video but also uploads on server and records the content.

Telecommunication as Key Element of Telepharmacy

telepharmacy systems

This technology helps ensure that pharmacy services are accessible to the patients at all times. At the same time it alleviates some of the stress put on local pharmacists as it allows them time off without abandoning the patients’ needs. The main reason for using network equipment in telepharmacy is a permanent necessity to interact with remote specialists. That is why pharmacists provide medical care to patients at a distance with the use of state-of-the-art telecommunications technology. They need to communicate with the technician and the patient through audio and video computer links. Video equipment along with an integrated VGA2Ethernet frame grabber appears to be a good solution for providing medication access to the population at remote sites. VGA2Ethernet used together with its software supports additional functionalities, for example, sending images to an attached printer and archiving the data in multiple formats.

Rapidly developing technology has made telepharmacy a promising alternative for providing access to pharmaceutical care in rural and distant communities. A unique system of providing services, it can be beneficial to both the potential patients of the communities and retail pharmacies or hospitals that provide these services. This technology combined with video communication equipment essentially expands access to quality health care for communities countrywide.