video from KTLA5 (ktla.com)Kellan Conner reporting.
I first heard about the potential for Virtual Heads Up Display (HUD) glasses a couple of years ago, and man I tell you the tech side of me was positively happy...what could be better, glasses that combines all the neat play toys in the world all at the sound of your voice. I love tech and it is really difficult to keep me away from getting the biggest and best now toys on the market (ok maybe price will), but I got to thinking about these glasses. I quick search on google images will show you the outlook for their design, and it kind of reminds be of Mr. LeForge on Star Trek, The Next Generation.
Now, I have already said that I think these things will be really cool, but they do come with a down side. Today, EMS.com published a editorial by Mr. Art Hsieh, a very well respected individual in the EMS community, and one who opinion can only be considered expert in this field. In his editorial he brought up the pros of these devices, and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed his pro-sided commentary. Really, how could this not be a benefit to patient care. Enhance response to the scene through a heads up display, rerouting to faster routes, and announcing up-to-the minute roadway status. On-scene his views are excellent...overall Mr. Hsieh provides an excellent review of these devices.
Now, at the end he asks to have other possibilities explained. Again, please know that I like the idea and I am a fan of the side Mr. Hsieh discussed. But, now I am going to play a little devil's advocate. As you can tell by the video I placed at the beginning of this post, I truly believe there are potential issues associated with these devices, and I know that I am not the only individual who is thinking this. If you watch the video in Mr. Hsieh's post to ems1.com the promotion of this device is a way to gain knowledge and to record events. At the sound of the voice, the user can tell the glasses to record or take a picture. If an individual is using these new tech devices, he/she could utilize them in a compromising way for personal gain. Take pictures of individuals when they exposed and vulnerable. Now, on the flip side if all calls were recorded in their entirity and used to review the patient care aspect then they can help situations such as lawsuits, and negligence outcomes.
Furthermore, the patient care provider can record information directly to the memory of the device which may contain a patient's personally identifiable information (PII) in which they can take back to use for negative means (i.e. identify theft, stalking, etc.). Again, they can also be used to help narrate what happened on a response.
You can tell by the video that new mobile devices have taken the place of more elaborate set-ups to objectify other individuals, and how are these going to play in the field of EMS. I end with the same question as Mr. Hsieh, "I'm sure there are other possibilities that aren't really far fetched. What are yours?
Take Care and Stay Safe
Combomedic - David Blevins
twitter.com/dsblev
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