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IBM Provides St. Louis With Patient-Tracking System

Posted on: Friday, 18 August 2006, 21:00 CDT

IBM has been selected by St. Louis Area Regional Response System to provide a new real-time patient tracking system that will improve response times in emergencies.

IBM has developed a system to enable regional first responders to relay patient data from the scene of the incident to hospitals, emergency operations personnel and other authorized public officials in real time. The firm says that until recently, local hospitals and first responders communicated via a 30-year-old radio system, which made tracking and triaging victims problematic.

The emergency patient tracking system will enable first responders to record at the scene of the incident, using mobile data terminals, patient information like medical condition, vital signs and chief injury or illness, as well as the name of the hospital the patient is being transported. A barcode bracelet is then produced and attached to the patient that will draw up their information when it is scanned at the hospital - reducing time consuming paperwork.

The data is then transmitted over a wireless network from the scene and is accessible instantly to hospital and public safety personnel, so they have a detailed picture of the patients' condition before they arrive at the hospital via mobile data terminals, laptops and PCs.

"This is another example of how better access to and use of information can aid better decision making," said IBM Public Sector Executive Jane Harbron. "We've brought our data analysis and technology skills together in a way that makes a real difference to emergency medical service providers and hospitals in the St. Louis metropolitan area."

Source: Datamonitor

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