Combining Technology with Quality in Medical Care

First, the X-ray, and then the electrocardiogram, revolutionized the diagnostic approach in cardiology. Medical devices become more sophisticated every day, with the increasing use of diagnostic tools, now offering the possibility of remote transmission of exams, anticipating diagnosis, and allowing the application of care protocols and therapeutic decisions.

In cardiology, with the transmission of the electrocardiographic tracing to Cardiological Centers in real-time, which at first was done through facsimile devices, and later, with devices with internet transmission, it was possible to adopt treatment protocols, with impact on lethality and function prognosis. Teleconsulting programs in the context of acute myocardial infarction, with transmission of an electrocardiogram performed at the first place of care, for this purpose, were developed in Rio de Janeiro (TIET Project), Salvador, São Paulo and Minas Gerais (Minas Telecardio), all within the public health system (Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS), where the safety and benefit of using Teleconsultation was demonstrated, shortening the time to perform the most appropriate revascularization method.

[…]