Turn On, Zoom In, Save a Life

Imagine if trauma surgeons could be present in every emergency room—even in small, rural hospitals—and accompany paramedics on every call. Under the leadership of Dr. Rifat Latifi, The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center pioneered the next best thing: teletrauma. Southern Arizona hospitals and Tucson ambulances are now connected to UA trauma surgeons through an extensive telemedicine network. The technology allows doctors to see patients in ambulances and remote hospitals in real time; zooming in on injuries, monitoring vitals and even talking with them. Where before, travel may have delayed critical assessment by hours, it can now happen in seconds—seconds that can mean the difference between life and death.