Singing River uses new medical app to speed life saving communication

OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (WLOX) - New mobile technology is being used to help save more lives at Singing River Health System.

Singing River health care providers say Pulsara, a new medical application, dramatically speeds up communication between First Responders and their hospital emergency departments.

Every minute counts during an emergency. That's why health experts say this new mobile communication tool is so important.

"Every minute we save is a brain muscle and heart muscle saved," says Acadian Ambulance Paramedic, Patrick Phillips. He adds they're already seeing a difference since Singing River started using Pulsara three months ago. The medical app offers real time communication between First Responders and the hospital. Phillips says, "We've had several cases where we have saved tons of time, anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes of time saved."

ER doctor physician, Dr. Perry Walton, says the mobile app sends them life saving information that comes from their EMS partners in the field before the patient even arrives at the hospital. "With that information, we're able to get our people activated. Whether it's our cardiac catheterization team or our stroke team, whatever is needed so that as soon as someone arrives here, the appropriate team will be set up to take care of them."

While the patient is being evaluated in the field, that information is coming back to the hospital in real time to give staff immediate access to the patient's EKG and other relevant information. Phillips says, "We send vitals, blood pressure, heart rate, pulse action, CBG, and other information."

Dr. Walton says patients may even bypass the ER altogether and go straight to the heart catheterization lab. He stated that it's all about getting patients the specific care they need faster. "Time is muscle, and if it's a stroke or if it's a heart attack, the quicker we can get blood flow to those muscles, the quicker we're able to save lives," Walton explained.

Hospitals in more than 20 states across the country are now using Pulsara, with some claiming they're seeing a 20 to 45 percent decrease in patient treatment times.

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