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RNP network makes telemedicine possible among ReMAVs

The plan of the III Workshop RNP2 to integrate researchers is beginning to show its first results. The High Performance Metropolitan Networks(ReMAVs) in Recife, Natal and Fortaleza plan to start taking the first steps towards an integrated experiment on telemedicine this month.

The project is divided into two phases. The first one integrates only the ReMAVs in Pernambuco and Natal. The medical exam known as fetal ecocardiography - made in Real Hospital Português in Recife will be transmitted to a videoconference room at the Federal Universty of Rio Grande do Norte, where specialists will be able to interact with the doctors in Recife.

In the second phase, which will end on August 5th ,the exams will also be transmitted to Fortaleza, where the XXI Congress of the Brazilian Computing Society will be taking place. There will also be specialists remotely participating in the diagnosis there.

The experiment will join the experience gathered by the ReMAVs in Natal (NatalNet) and Recife (ATM Recife Network) in the fields of videoconference and telemedicine, respectively. The first network developed the DynaVideo, a service of distribution of MPEG-2 digital video; the second created the HealthNet, an integrated system of telediagnosis. The authors of the project explain that:

- The basic idea in the experiment is to transmit the exam video live,by using the DynaVideo and,at the same time, give support to a videoconference involving medical specialists who will interpret the exam in a colaborative way with the help of HealthNet. Since the doctors will be able to get in touch with one another while the exam is being made, it will be possible for the specialists to intefere remotely in the medical procedure in real time, for instance,by recommending adjustments in the parameters of the equipment used to made the exam.

RNP will guarantee the interconnection of the three cities so that the experiment can be carried out.

[RNP, 07.06.2001]