The world’s first truly integrated tele-ultrasound to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals in South Africa

The Simulation Lab is divided into four wards: a pre-hospital emergency care simulation room, an emergency department representing casualty simulation, a general ward and an intensive care unit (ICU).

University departments of Emergency Medical Care, Sport and Movement Studies, Biomedical Technology, Nursing and Medical Imaging and Radiation have benefited from the training in the Simulation Lab.
 

The renewal of the MoU between Philips and UJ underpins the highlights of the national agenda discussion at recently held Presidential Health Summit, wherein Deputy President, David Mabuza highlighted the importance of having skilled healthcare professionals to address issues related to healthcare access in the country, along with the need to improve diagnosis, treatment, and care, especially in the area of telemedicine.

 “Not only has our collaboration improved the clinical competencies of UJ’s health science graduates, the Medical Simulation Lab is also utilized for training of paramedics and medical specialists that are from outside the University. UJ has proved to be the ideal partner to bring this Simulation Laboratory concept to life and we now look forward to the next phase of continued collaboration and research related to new technologies in the emergency care environment”.

Philips has equipped the Simulation Lab with medical equipment and diagnostic devices to facilitate the exposure of health science students and academic staff to state-of-the-art medical technologies and today introduced the world's first truly integrated tele-ultrasound solution – Philips Lumify with Reacts – to the Simulation Lab, while simultaneously using the occasion to also launch the system in the South African market.
 

Lumify is designed for emergency departments and urgent care centres, as well as other clinical settings, is an entirely new way of delivering ultrasound technology to healthcare providers and their patients; offering high-quality imaging from a compatible smart device connected to a Philips ultrasound transducer.

The integrated app-based, portable-ultrasound system breaks down barriers for point-of-care providers – from clinicians, teaching institutions, medical students and residents to emergency care personnel, and disaster relief organisations – by offering advanced, high-quality ultrasound technology wherever care is needed.
 

“We are delighted that our longstanding partnership with Philips continues, thus ensuring that modern cutting edge products such as Lumify continue to be available to students in our Sim Lab environment. Lumify is a novel product that will allow health science students from a number of different professions to see first-hand the advantages of being able to scan and share medical images which may assist in speeding up the diagnosis process and inform clinical decision making.” says Prof Shahed Nalla, (Acting) Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, at the University of Johannesburg.
 

The Lumify point-of-care ultrasound system is further enhanced with the Reacts platform which allows real-time remote collaboration with experts during an ultrasound examination no matter the distance. This means, a professor can go on virtual ultrasound rounds with students, helping them learn anatomy and probe positioning quickly and efficiently, unrestricted by location.

The Lumify Reacts platform connects clinicians around the globe in real time by turning a compatible smart device into an integrated tele-ultrasound solution, combining two-way audio-visual calls with live ultrasound streaming. This additional innovation in the Lumify ultrasound brings endless possibilities to its users both inside and outside hospital walls.
 

“It is important for us at UJ that our health science students demonstrate sound clinical reasoning and mastery of core psychomotor skills in the simulated environment before they are sent to work and learn in the authentic clinical setting where they will encounter real patients.” says Professor Craig Lambert, Head of the Emergency Medical Care Department at University of Johannesburg. “As a company focused on innovations in the healthcare sector, Philips has proved to be the ideal partner to bring this Simulation Laboratory concept to life and we now look forward to building a sustainable long term partnership and continuing this collaboration to train our students on their latest innovations in healthcare.”