Last month, Alaska Maritime Physicians (AMP) partnered with DrChrono to connect maritime workers with improved access to care for those working on the frigid waters of Alaska.
Waters in the northern Pacific and the Bering Sea are a lucrative and popular destination for commercial and recreational fishing, Alaskan commerce and the cruise ship industry. But with rough seas and frigid temperatures, this region is extremely dangerous and miles from the nearest medical facility.
The new telemedicine platform is expected to improve access to medical care for those injured in one of the most inhospitable regions of the globe. The deal with DrChrono will add iPhone and iPad capabilities allowing for better communication with physicians, access to health resources and instructional videos. The platform is also able to use digital health devices capable of sending vital signs and other data back to AMP.
“We envision a world where there will be toolkits of apps, hardware, and IoT devices that a provider can simply connect to EHR (electronic health record),” said co-founder and C.E.O of DrChrono, Daniel Kivatinos, to Maritime Health Inteligence.com. “I would love to allow doctors to be able to do fully remote consultations and walk a patient through a procedure.”
Through DrChrono, AMP is available around the clock, all year long. The physicians will have the ability to prescribe medicine, order diagnostic testing and procedures. AMP has answered more than 350 calls since the platform went live in 2018. The group has assistance with issues ranging from frostbite and heart attacks to broken limbs and serious injuries.
Maritime workers face a higher risk of workplace accidents and death than the majority of occupations in the United States. In fact, commercial fishing is regarded as the most dangerous job in the U.S. On average, the rate for maritime fatalities and injuries is almost five percent higher than the rate for all workers in the U.S.
Head injuries, amputations, broken bones, burns and injuries to the neck and back are some of the most common maritime injuries seen at BOATLAW, LLP. Call us today if you or someone you love was injured in a maritime accident.
