The ‘Golden Hour:’ How Telemedicine is Bridging the Gap between life and Death in Rural Communities

Telemedicine complements EMS services by providing timely expertise without disrupting existing workflows. In a recent emergency, our physician remotely assessed the patient's injuries, facilitating swift recognition of severity and notifying the receiving hospital. This enabled early trauma system activation and coordination of additional caregivers, enhancing the response. As described by a responder, having telemedicine support allowed them to focus on patient care with confidence. Our goal is to reduce the time between response and action in emergencies, offering real-time education and mentorship for EMS personnel. Through telemedicine, we aim to optimize patient outcomes while supporting frontline responders in delivering effective care during critical moments.