Title: Telementoring: using the Kinect and Microsoft Azure to save lives

Authors: Janet L. Bailey; Bradley K. Jensen

Addresses: University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA ' Microsoft Corporation, 7000 North State Highway 161, Irving, TX 75039, USA

Abstract: This paper outlines a study and technology that teleports the knowledge and skills of doctors when and where they are needed resulting in a reduction of costs by reducing the number of patients who must be transported from remote areas to cities where specialists are located. Rapid access to specialists' expertise results in lowered risk of death or permanent damage which requires lifelong treatment and monitoring. The technology presented in this paper has the potential to replace and/or supplement existing telemedicine systems costing in excess of $25,000 with a laptop, a $150 Kinect, an Azure connection, and an Office 365 account. The Kinect allows doctors to control the system without breaking the sterile field via hand gestures and voice commands with a goal of reducing the direct cost of healthcare associated infections to hospitals and patients in the USA currently ranging from $28.4 to $33.8 billion annually.

Keywords: telemedicine; Kinect; Microsoft Azure; e-health; telementoring; electronic healthcare; hand gestures; voice commands; healthcare technology; remote monitoring; direct costs; healthcare costs; remote access; patient access.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEF.2013.051755

International Journal of Electronic Finance, 2013 Vol.7 No.1, pp.33 - 47

Published online: 20 Feb 2013 *

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