On Friday, April 7, Loma Linda University Medical Center unveiled a state-of-the-art mobile telemedicine vehicle — MTV — for disaster and emergency response. A joint effort between the United States Army and the DISCOVERIES project at LLUMC, the MTV is the newest and most innovative vehicle to be used in the field of emergency medicine. The unveiling took place on the Loma Linda University Campus Mall in the center of campus.

Designed to respond to emergency and disaster situations, the MTV brings the expertise of a critical care center to patients that may be cut off from access to any hospital or medical care. By utilizing telemedicine technology, the MTV brings the skill of any specialist to the patient’s side.

“The concept is to take a vehicle that can go anywhere,” says Jeff Grange, M.D., director of emergency medical services for LLUMC. “When a disaster happens and infrastructure is destroyed, the MTV is put into action to get to patients who would otherwise be unable to get to the hospital. It is not for transporting patients, but rather taking the expertise of a tertiary care center like Loma Linda to patients themselves.”

The MTV chassis features a design that allows for maximum off-road capabilities. Once at the scene of critical need, the MTV will be able to relay medical information such as x-rays, vital statistics and live video to LLUMC. Telemedicine allows the health care team in the vehicle to capture information and transfer it to the right specialist for real-time consultation. The MTV uses satellite systems and is not dependent on land-based communications that may go out in a disaster.

For additional flexibility, an all-terrain vehicle is housed inside the MTV. It can be deployed to access areas that can only be reached by smaller vehicles. It can also scout the terrain and communicate back to the MTV.

When fully fueled, the MTV has a range of 1,000 miles or can run its generator for up to four days nonstop.

“This is a tangible way to illustrate our roots of compassion ‘to make man whole’ as we move into the future,” says B. Lyn Behrens, M.B.B.S., president of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, at the unveiling event. “I see this as a place where critically ill patients will receive care and a prototype for national programs.”