A robotic ultrasound technology that began in remote communities in northern Saskatchewan is now also available in Gravelbourg, as part of the largest telerobotic ultrasound program in the world. President of Surgery for the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Director of the Virtual Care and Remote Presence Robotics Program, Dr. Ivar Mendez, explains that an expert can do an ultrasound remotely through this robotic system and the probe at the other end in some other community will move and take the necessary images. It’s all done through the internet, so it doesn’t need any special telecommunication technology. Dr. Mendez stresses that the information is encrypted so there are no privacy issues.

This cutting-edge technology has been used in La Loche, Stony Rapids and Pelican Narrows and last November, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Gravelbourg received the system. To date, over 300 ultrasound scans have been successfully performed using the MELODY system as part of this research project, and around 80 per cent were obstetrical ultrasounds. Dr. Mendez says this technology will never be able to replace healthcare workers, but it does give access to people in rural and remote communities that have the robotic system – in essence, bringing healthcare to the patient.

The goal of the MELODY Telerobotic Ultrasound Research Initiative at the hospital in Gravelbourg is to determine the feasibility of improved access to diagnostic care for pediatric and maternal patients through this remote robotic ultrasonography in southern Saskatchewan. The MELODY Telerobotic Ultrasound System utilized in the Virtual Care and Robotics Program research lab was made possible through contributions from Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, Virtual Care and Robotics Program, and a gift in kind from AdEchoTec.

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