BOAC TELERAD

BOAC TELERAD
By: Luna Eulogio “Pongkoy” Manrique, EnP/MPDC
January 2, 2008

In the past years, patients who were advised to undergo laboratory tests (x-rays or ultrasound) have to go to laboratories in nearby towns and sometimes even to Lucena or Metro Manila. This was due to the absence of a radiologist/sonologist practicing in the province.

Recognizing the need for the speedy delivery of basic services, the Municipal Government of Boac (capital town of the island of province of Marinduque) took into consideration the use of ICT as an important tool in providing health services to its constituents. It was then that Mayor Meynardo B. Solomon instructed the Municipal Planning and Development Office and the Municipal Health Office through Dr. Arlene Nebreja to study or find ways on how images generated from the ultrasound and x-ray machines can be interpreted using the internet. A technical team was formed composed of EnP Manrique, as team leader, Dr. Arlene L. Nebreja and Engr. Jacob Montevirgen ECE as members. Full authority was given by the Municipal Mayor to the team to coordinate and consult with experts on the technical aspect of the project. It was during the 3rd Knowledge Exchange Conference, sponsored by the NCC, in Cebu last September 27-29, 2006 and various visits of Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo of the UP Telehealth Center that gives us the start of an idea on the use of teleradiology.

Right after the re-election of Mayor Solomon, the BOAC TELERAD (short for the Boac teleradiology) was established at the Dr. Pablo Marquez Health and Diagnostic Center in Boac, Marinduque. TELERADIOLOGY is a technical process for the electronic transmission of radiological patient images such as
x-ray and ultrasound from one location to another for the purpose of interpretation and/or consultation.

The Boac Telerad is an image sending station that was first
established and located at the Boac Community E-Center. It
has the following equipment, service facility and manpower:

1. One computer set with internet (DSL) connection.
2. Image (film) digitizer.
3. Video capture device.
4. A Licensed Associate in Radiologic Technology
5. On-call Electronic and Communication Engineer from the Municipal Planning and Development Office.

The Boac Telerad sends videos or radiological patient images through the use of the internet. These images or videos together with the patient’s information are uploaded to a secure server and can be accessed by authorized doctors anywhere in the world for review and diagnostic. Below is the basic configuration being used:












The Municipal Mayor, through the full support and authority given by the Sangguniang Bayan of Boac, had entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Dr. Jeremias Gonzales, a Licensed Radiologist and a Fellow on Nuclear Medicine, for the review and evaluation of radiological patient images. Dr. Gonzales is also one of the proponents in the operation of the Boac Telerad.

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