San Jose, CA – A new telehealth tool, developed by Cisco Systems, Inc., that combines video, audio and call center technology with medical diagnostic equipment is facing a test run overseas.

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary of Scotland, the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and the National Health Service of Scotland have launched a trial of the HealthPresence remote care tool, which uses equipment such as stethoscopes and otoscopes, as well as a vital signs monitor that can measure blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and pulse oximetry, to capture the physiological condition of the patient.

The system, developed by Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group, is based on the Cisco TelePresence system, which was launched in October 2006. Some 100 providers in more than 40 countries implemented the TelePresence system within its first year of availability.

“HealthPresence is an asset to improve the quality of telephone advice and triage,” said Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s Dr. Karyn Webster and Dr. Fiona Mair. “Being able to visualize and have physiological parameters on a patient will improve patient care.”