Blackberry’s being used to save lives of heart attack victims

When paramedics arrive on scene of someone having a heart attack, one of the first things they do is attach a ECG (electrocardiogram) to the patient to be able to give the cardiologist in the emergency room information faster.  Faster information transfer means a patient can get an angioplasty faster.  In Kitchener-Waterloo the paramedics have taken this one step farther and email and image of the ECG directly to doctors’ Blackberries.  The image has enough resolution that the cardiologist can make the decision for an angioplasty or not and if one is required, the patient skips the ER and goes straight to the OR.  More detail from Karen Scian’s blog:

On the emergency scene, paramedics diagnose the heart attack and collect an ECG reading which is transmitted to ER doctors equipped with our homegrown Blackberries. The screen resolution is accurate enough that the doctors can read the ECG pattern and decide on angioplasty surgery is the best alternative before the patient is even delivered to an ER.  Send them straight to St. Mary’s.  The extra time lets them prepare the operating room and be ready for the incoming patient.

Currently, SMGH is getting ready to launch the next phase of this Code STEMI Project.  They are in the final stages of testing technology, working with EMS and experts at RIM to make sure all of the potential glitches are worked out before they begin implementing this new protocol. Source: Heart Smart @ St. Mary’s GH « Karen Scian @ Waterloo

Kitchener-Waterloo-based RIM donated the Blackberries for the trial and thus far the program has been very successful  EMTs were, understandably, hesitant about this new protocol, but now see it as a great wait to save lives and speed people into the treatment they need.

Think about all the other potential uses for this technique.  Sending vital signs to the hospital from chronically ill patients.  Parents sending information to nurses or the ER.

Who would have thought that the Canadian-made Blackberry could be used to save lives in such an innovative way.

Also covered in the Globe & Mail

Photo by: J.P. Moczulski/The Globe and Mail