The TeleKin project: A university institute is setting up a virtual network of pediatric clinics

A team of computer scientists from the University of Passau is developing an online platform, which, among other things, will help to facilitate quick referrals for children who are ill in Bavaria to suitable specialist clinics. The project receives funds from the Bavarian Ministry of Health.

The Corona epidemic has made one thing clear: communication across clinics needs to improve. An effective exchange of data on available hospital beds will make for quicker patient care. Telemedicine, which involves the remote provision of healthcare services using digital technologies, could make specialty expertise available across all clinics, particularly in rural regions.

Telemedicine Network of Pediatric Clinics

This is where TeleKin comes in, the Telemedicine Network of Pediatric Clinics headed by Professor Tomas Sauer who holds the Chair of Digital Image Processing and directs the Institute for Software Systems (FORWISS) at the University of Passau. As part of this project, computer scientists are developing a type of "virtual children's hospital", as Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek put it at a medical summit. The aim is to create a sustainable communication platform for cross-clinic resource management where speciality expertise can be leveraged for telemedicine purposes. "First and foremost, the goal is to ensure speedy provision of acute medical care to children and adolescents through simplified and expedited active cross-clinic resource and occupancy management across Bavaria. The idea comes directly from clinical practice, that is from Professor Matthias Keller, medical director of the Children's Hospital in Passau," says Professor Sauer. Physicians will be able to use the platform to find out where treatment capacities and beds are available. Another aim is to provide a user-friendly and consistent solution for telemedicine visits and advice. In addition, the team of computer scientists wants to ensure that the system can be implemented securely and affordably in Bavaria's pediatric clinics. The latter have thus been actively involved partners in the project since the very beginning.

Funds from the Bavarian Ministry of Health

The Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care has awarded a three-year grant for the creation, implementation and operation as well as the conceptual development of the "virtual network of pediatric clinics". The funds have been allocated as part of a funding programme for acute in-patient pediatric institutions launched at short notice by the Free State of Bavaria.

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Press release by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care

Press reports:

Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR24)

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