Coronavirus: Premier Health uses technology for safer EMS hand-offs with patients

ajc.com

Premier Health adapted a mobile communications platform, Pulsara, to communicate better with EMS agencies arriving with suspected coronavirus patients.

“EMS can now send an alert to the receiving emergency department that a suspected COVID-19 patient is in transit and the emergency team can respond with the appropriate directions to enable a safer and efficient hand-off,” said Candy Skidmore, vice president of service integration for emergency, trauma, CareFlight and EMS Center of Excellence, Premier Health.

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Pulsara is an app originally developed to improve coordination and communication for the assessment of stroke patients. A new feature now enables the technology to increase communication between emergency departments and EMS transporting  suspected coronavirus patients.

An alert from EMS workers will be sent via the app to the receiving emergency department. The department then acknowledges the call and gives directions on how to safely transport the patient, such as having a mask put on the patient, disconnecting aerosolizing treatments or gong to a specific entrance or room.

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The technology is being used at all Premier Health hospitals as well as fire and/or EMS departments in Dayton, Riverside, Jefferson Twp, Huber Heights, Tipp City, Vandalia, Clearcreek, Cedarville Twp, West Alexandria, Bradford, Kettering, Spring Valley, Union, Harrison Twp, Lebanon, Fairborn, New Lebanon, Union Twp, Bethel Twp, Brookville, Saint Paris and New Carlisle.

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