The Feasibility and Acceptability of Google Glass for Teletoxicology Consults

Abstract

Teletoxicology offers the potential for toxicologists to assist in providing medical care at remote locations, via remote, interactive augmented audiovisual technology. This study examined the feasibility of using Google Glass, a head-mounted device that incorporates a webcam, viewing prism, and wireless connectivity, to assess the poisoned patient by a medical toxicology consult staff. Emergency medicine residents (resident toxicology consultants) rotating on the toxicology service wore Glass during bedside evaluation of poisoned patients; Glass transmitted real-time video of patients' physical examination findings to toxicology fellows and attendings (supervisory consultants), who reviewed these findings. We evaluated the usability (e.g., quality of connectivity and video feeds) of Glass by supervisory consultants, as well as attitudes towards use of Glass. Resident toxicology consultants and supervisory consultants completed 18 consults through Glass. Toxicologists viewing the video stream found the quality of audio and visual transmission usable in 89 % of cases. Toxicologists reported their management of the patient changed after viewing the patient through Glass in 56 % of cases. Based on findings obtained through Glass, toxicologists recommended specific antidotes in six cases.Head-mounted devices like Google Glass may be effective tools for real-time teletoxicology consultation.

Wearable Devices and Biosensing: Future Frontiers

“…From rolodexes and telephones to head mounted computers, advanced biosensing, and ingestible sensors, toxicologists have always been pioneers leveraging advanced technologies to solve problems [1,2]. As smartphones, fitness monitors, and connected devices become ubiquitous, toxicologists are naturally equipped with advanced tools that augment our bedside exam of poisoned patients.A new generation of toxicologists continually pushes the boundaries of technology in an effort to facilitate improved patient care and access to our expertise [1][2][3][4][5]. Head-mounted wearable computers can provide a toxicologist with a firstperson view of a poisoned patient, while a wrist-mounted sensor can stream key biometric data (e.g., heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and electrodermal activity).…”

“…Head-mounted wearable computers can provide a toxicologist with a firstperson view of a poisoned patient, while a wrist-mounted sensor can stream key biometric data (e.g., heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and electrodermal activity). Ingestible biosensors can provide historical records of medication ingestion, and linked webcams can stream toxicology lectures to centers seeking expertise on the poisoned patient [2][3][4]6].In an era of integrated care and bundled payments, toxicologists and fellows in training have a unique opportunity to develop novel technology-based methods that respond to a need in our specialty. Creating novel applications using everyday technology requires a contemporary approach-integration of patients, physicians, engineers, and software developers into a multidisciplinary research team.…”

“…Integration of a suite of devices can provide a comprehensive profile of the poisoned patient which, when evaluated remotely, provides increased precision and effectiveness of toxicologists [8]. Changes in heart rate using a wearable biosensor in a patient at a critical access hospital may signal worsening calcium channel blocker toxicity; a wearable camera may help a toxicologist guide the bedside clinician in the administration of physostigmine for the anticholinergic patient, and the virtual assessment of an altered patient can change a toxicologist's recommendation to triage a patient to an inpatient bed or emergency department observation period [3].Much like endocrinologists use insulin pump data in diabetics, toxicologists who practice substance abuse treatment can use biosensor data to discover episodes of relapse and tolerance [4,9]. Advanced algorithms and improving technology can provide a noninvasive, yet accurate understanding of real-time substance abuse and relapse.…”

“…A new generation of toxicologists continually pushes the boundaries of technology in an effort to facilitate improved patient care and access to our expertise [1][2][3][4][5]. Head-mounted wearable computers can provide a toxicologist with a firstperson view of a poisoned patient, while a wrist-mounted sensor can stream key biometric data (e.g., heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and electrodermal activity).…”

“…Head-mounted wearable computers can provide a toxicologist with a firstperson view of a poisoned patient, while a wrist-mounted sensor can stream key biometric data (e.g., heart rate, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and electrodermal activity). Ingestible biosensors can provide historical records of medication ingestion, and linked webcams can stream toxicology lectures to centers seeking expertise on the poisoned patient [2][3][4]6].…”