King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center-Riyadh (KFSHRC-R) launched the Mideast's first eICU here Sunday afternoon when the ICU of King Khaled Hospital in Hail was effectively connected with KFSH&RC in the presence of Prince Saud Bin Abdul Mohsen, Emir of Hail region. This is the first in its kind project outside the US, said a KFSH&RC press release. Dr. Qasim Al-Qasabi, Chief Executive Director of KFSH&RC, said the program aims to provide specialized quality healthcare for Intensive Care Unit patients at regional hospitals who cannot be treated in Riyadh as the capacity is a barrier to their acceptance. During the last few months, the eICU program provided medical consultations and follow up services for 60 cases without the patients being transferred to Riyadh. The program provides tele-consultation services for ICU patients whenever it is required 24/7, said Al-Qasabi. It is also available for any urgent cases that need continuous follow up with full audiovisual facility to monitor the patient and the attending physician simultaneously, in addition to view the vital signs and cardiogram. The eICU program is part of Health Outreach Services in KFSH&RC which includes medical visiting program, consultation visits, locum visit program, diagnostic visits, national program, training and education, outreach surgeries, and eHealth Center. The program also includes the Health Outreach Regional Centers, which has reached up to 18 regional hospitals. __
