Tele-ultrasound helps to restore fair access to healthcare
Access to quality medical imaging is a crucial public health issue. In France, over 30 million ultrasounds are performed each year, but not everyone has access to them and it can be impossible to get an ultrasound, especially in areas far away from specialists.
To solve this problem, AdEchoTech has designed MELODY: a robotic tele-ultrasound solution that allows doctors to perform examinations remotely, with full control, as if they were at the patient’s bedside.
Areas of application for MELODY
Hospitals and clinics: improving medical efficacy
General and local hospitals with no on-site radiologist can mean delayed diagnoses and can complicate patient care. Thanks to remote ultrasound expertise, medical teams can make rapid diagnoses without the need for specialists on site.
Access to an expert radiologist even in the absence of a specialist
Reduced costs related to one-off appointments
Fewer inter-hospital transfers for simple examinations
Streamlined urgent and scheduled care pathways
Enhanced imaging service, even in poorly equipped areas
Prison facilities: diagnosis without the need for transport
Every prisoner transfer to a hospital incurs a significant cost, requires staff and poses security issues. Performing ultrasounds locally inside prisons helps to overcome these issues, while respecting prisoners’ fundamental rights.
Easier access to care and better medical follow-up for prisoners
Fewer medical escorts and lower logistical costs
Secure examination without prisoner transport
Remote areas: restoring equal access to care
In rural areas, overseas territories, mountainous regions or islands, access to specialists is often limited. Patients have to travel long distances for a simple examination. Here, robotic tele-ultrasound offers a reliable, immediate response.
Better equality of access to imaging
Fewer tiring journeys for remote patients
Reliable, fast diagnoses, on site
Continued local medical care, supported remotely
Nursing homes and medico-social facilities: easing care pathways
For elderly residents, the slightest movement can cause stress, disorientation, or even a deterioration in health. Being able to perform examinations locally while speaking to a doctor remotely makes the process more comfortable and increases medical responsiveness.
Prevents unnecessary hospital admissions
Rapid diagnosis of common pathologies (infections, pain, etc.)
Less stressful for vulnerable residents
Seamless coordination between on-site teams and the specialist
Independent doctors and patients: bringing expertise closer
Tele-ultrasound is not limited to medical facilities. It also allows self-employed healthcare professionals to expand their practice without travelling, and gives patients quick access to high-quality diagnoses without leaving their area.
An affordable, accessible expert tool
Easier teleworking for radiologists and medical imaging physicians
Fewer journeys and shorter waiting times for patients
Shorter, more seamless care pathways
The real impact of MELODY
Waiting times before an examination
- Before: Some patients had to wait days or even weeks for an ultrasound, especially in rural areas or in facilities without a radiologist.
- With Melody: A specialist can intervene remotely within 24 to 48 hours, even for patients in remote areas. Patients are seen faster, and diagnoses made earlier.
Transport and logistics
- Before: Many patients had to be taken by ambulance or taxi to a hospital or specialised healthcare facility, often dozens of kilometres away. This involved a lot of staff and could be tiring and stressful.
- With Melody: Examinations are performed locally (in the nursing home, health centre, prison, etc.). The expert comes to the patient, not the other way around.
Access to a specialist doctor
- Before: Only large healthcare facilities had a radiologist on staff. Elsewhere, patients had to wait for an appointment or travel to see the specialist.
- With Melody: Expertise is accessible remotely, in real time, in all facilities with the equipment. This prevents breaks in the care pathway caused by the specialist’s lack of availability.
Cost to healthcare facilities
- Before: Facilities had to pay for one-off medical appointments or bear the logistical costs of transfers (ambulances, support staff, healthcare workers’ time).
- With Melody: These costs are far lower. Organisation is more flexible, internal resources are used more efficiently and healthcare facilities become more independent.
Patient comfort and experience
- Before: Patients often faced waiting times, tiring travel, and a hospital environment that caused anxiety, especially for the elderly or vulnerable.
- With Melody: Examinations are performed in a familiar setting, quickly, maintaining the link with local care teams. This is much more comfortable, and perceived service quality is higher.