Responders can transmit information more efficiently while en route to hospital, crucial when a person’s life could be on the line
Every minute that blood flow is restricted during a stroke, 2 million brain cells die.
When every second counts, garbled radio transmissions and miscommunication between emergency responders and medical providers at the hospital can have a big impact. But for PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and local emergency medical services agencies, those obstacles are now a thing of the past — thanks to a smartphone app.
In late May, PeaceHealth Southwest, American Medical Response, North Country EMS and Camas-Washougal Fire Department began using the Pulsara app to streamline communication from the field to the emergency department. The app allows emergency responders to quickly and securely provide hospital staff with information about patients while they are en route to the emergency department — something especially important for stroke and heart attack patients, said Dr. Jason Hanley, PeaceHealth Southwest emergency department medical director.