Victims who suffer head injuries in road crashes could benefit from expert advice from top US brain surgeons communicating remotely with local doctors next year, The Royal Gazette has learnt.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board is in talks with Johns Hopkins Medicine International for the technology-based programme to better manage the high rate of head injuries among road crash victims, the board’s chief executive said.

This year, the island recorded ten road fatalities, most of which involved motorcycles.

R Scott Pearman said the high rate of crashes, particularly those involving bikes, came with a corresponding high rate of polytrauma, entailing multiple injuries, featuring traumatic brain injury.

Similar to the ongoing stroke care programme between King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Johns Hopkins, Bermuda-based general surgeons will connect remotely with neurologists and neurosurgeons at the Baltimore hospital, which is considered to be one of the best in the world.

John Hopkins physicians will evaluate MRI and CT images from patients, received instantly from KEMH, to offer recommendations.

“We are working to implement this initiative in the coming year,” Mr Pearman told the Gazette.

It comes as BHB upgrades its medical technology, with “nearly all” diagnostic imaging equipment at KEMH upgraded and artificial intelligence assisting medicine.

He added: “We now offer residents the best technology in Bermuda and this means faster scans, less contrast and radiation and superior images that make it easier for our radiographers to give accurate results.

“Not only that, but we are using AI technology to assist our radiographers, meaning that getting scanned at BHB today will give you the safest, fastest test with the most reliable and accurate results.

“Our excellent partnership with the vendor meant we could achieve this through a very good deal — we have a five-year payment plan that includes all servicing and parts.

“But we also see the most seriously ill and injured patients on island as the only hospital and we must be able to provide the best-in-class diagnostics.”

He said the hospital’s Sterile Processing Department has also completed a critical upgrade.

Mr Pearman explained: “It doesn't sound exciting — but without this department we couldn't offer safe surgeries.

“The department is critical to the hospital running safely. It was an old facility with old equipment, prone to leaks and maintenance issues.”

These occasionally upset the surgical schedule, leading to delays and cancellations, if something went down or a leak meant work had to stop.

Mr Pearman said the project “ran on budget” barring a one-month delay, with the service operating from a smaller, temporary area.

“GreenLight” laser technology for the treatment of prostate enlargement has been purchased with donations from Argus and Chubb, with help from the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust, enabling a quicker recovery among patients.

Mr Pearman said: “We've moved from a surgery requiring two to four days in hospital, to a much less invasive procedure.”

To date, 46 patients have used the service, with more than $350,000 saved.

Mr Pearman added: “And most importantly for us at the moment, freed bed space for other patients.”