Extreme telemedicine: research, development and in the field validation of a teleconsultation system for the K2 Italian-Pakistani expedition

In the frame of the first Italian-Pakistani women's expedition to K2 designed by CAI to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first ascent to the mountain a teleconsultation platform was developed for research and in the field for clinical purposes, and validated between June and July 2024. It was implemented to support medical staff in clinical data collection and enhance diagnostic accuracy through an integrated decision support. The platform allows nurses and clinicians to collect alpinists information efficiently using a user-friendly interface linked to a robust decision support system, which provides real-time analysis and suggestions based on clinical protocols/guidelines. The platform enables a connection with remote physicians, who can make informed diagnostic decisions, enabling timely medical interventions. This system is designed to ensure high-quality alpinists care, minimize diagnostic errors, and make healthcare services more efficient, both in hospitals and outpatient clinics.