'EMS Field Partner': an iPhone app that helps save lives
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Eric Schmidt, outreach development coordinator at Allegheny General Hospital: "It is amazing to me that the people who have registered really represent a nice cross section geographically."
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A chance meeting in Las Vegas between a Pittsburgh paramedic and a German businessman two years ago has spawned a new smart phone application that promises to save lives.
Jeff Polana, director of pre-hospital operations at Alle-Kiski Medical Center in Natrona Heights, says he just happened to strike up a conversation with Stefan Ritter, who then was designing electronic layouts for BMW cars for a living, after Mr. Ritter asked him for a light.
They exchanged business cards and stayed in touch.
"This guy had a passion for what he did. He loved computers and he loved applications," Mr. Polana said. When Mr. Ritter started his own business in Dingolfing, Germany (http://ritter-group.de) specializing in mobile communication application last year, Mr. Polana approached him with an idea:
"Is it possible to design an information app for EMS to make their jobs easier in the field? The next day, he sent an e-mail that said, 'Yes, we can do that.'"
The West Penn Allegheny Health System has now launched EMS Field Partner, an Apple iPhone application for emergency medical services staff and other first responder professionals.
With the touch of a single button, paramedics have access to critical life support information and a triage system that can direct them to a specific WPAHS hospital based on the patient's injury or illness. It can also provide immediate access to an emergency physician as well as instantly alert medic command that a medical transport helicopter should stand by.
The software, which is free through the Apple Store, had nearly 2,000 downloads in the first month. People must register for special features such as physician contact information and medical air transport alerts, and so far 300 paramedics, EMTs and police officers have signed on.
"It is amazing to me that the people who have registered really represent a nice cross section geographically," said Eric Schmidt, outreach development coordinator for West Penn Allegheny Health System's pre-hospital services and a paramedic for West Deer.
WPAHS owns intellectual property behind EMS Field Partner. Mr. Schmidt said officials had not discussed marketing the application in other regions as yet, although they have already received inquiries from health systems in West Virginia and South Carolina.
Nico Soler, a paramedic and supervisor for the Butler Ambulance Service, was the first to initiate Field Partner's air transport two weeks ago when he responded with the East Butler Ambulance Service to a pre-dawn, one-vehicle accident with serious injuries to the entrapped driver, who was alone in the car.
First Published March 18, 2011 12:00 am
