Amazon has plans in using them in delivering product to their customers door step, sporting groups during practices have been cleared for their use with cameras attached so why not medical device “drones” that can swoop down from the sky above and deliver aid to patients in need? May not be that far-fetched of a “Meet the Jetson’s” thought and the reality is it makes perfect sense in this current and future healthcare delivery transformation which is promoting a non-hospital based environment.
The use of drone technology which has revolutionized military operations and warfare is now introducing itself in the civilian world. How and when it makes its official debut into the mainstream consumer environment is yet to be seen though one thing is for sure – it is coming. Thinking in a futuristic mind set will we see sky’s full of drone’s delivering merchandise to your door step? Amazon thinks so and most likely once the FAA and other federal agencies can be convinced this “Jetson’s” style mode of services is safe a truly new definition to mobile medical devices will begin to emerge. Let your imagination wander as defibrillators, pumps of all types, non-invasive BP and whatever other device you can think of cruising in for that patient care landing – WOW!!
So as you think about this drone concept as HTM service professionals. How would you see yourself performing scheduled device PM’s? That equipment service call that just came from dispatch? Exciting stuff and again another reason why this profession is so stimulating to those that can see and be the future. Some may say I am pipe dreaming again, maybe so but please note you heard it here first. Kind a puts a new spin on the old saying, “I’ll take care of that service call on the fly”.