Telemicrobiology: a novel telemedicine capability for mission support in the field of infectious medicine

Abstract

Infectious diseases are among the most common medical conditions suffered by soldiers while serving in missions away from their home countries. The diagnosis of these diseases requires special procedures and expertise, both of which are provided by field microbiological laboratories. In order to support the diagnostic process by means of telemedicine, a modification of the standard German Armed Forces telemedicine workstation was devised. A telemicrobiology module with special equipment, camera, and software has been designed and validated. This module, currently in use in two operational military theaters, has stood the test in routine practice. It allows the transmission of high-quality static images of microscopic specimens or overgrown nutrient media in a matter of seconds. The inclusion of experts in diagnostic analysis through the use of telemedicine improves diagnostic specificity by avoiding false positive results and, particularly in medical parasitology, allows a treatment-essential diagnosis without the dispatch of specimens to Germany. The recently designed telemicrobiology module has been proven, and is now deployed, providing a higher level of field diagnostic support than previously possible.