How Technology Improves Ems Response

“Stroke care doesn’t start at the hospital door—and it shouldn’t end there either.” As American Stroke Month ends, I ask that we keep this in mind: building a true stroke system of care isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about creating a connected, responsive, and equitable approach to saving lives and maximizing recovery. Dr. Gannon outlines Delaware’s statewide model (https://buff.ly/Nj05Wds ) —one that integrates EMS, acute care, rehab, and long-term support to deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place. It’s a gold standard worth aspiring to, even if your system isn’t there yet. What follows are a few thoughts to address systems of care to improve stroke outcomes. 🔹 1. Strong systems require strong coordination. Delaware’s statewide stroke committee unites hospitals, EMS agencies, and public health leaders under a common framework. Legislation helps formalize partnerships and drive shared accountability—especially across competing health systems. 🔹 2. Early identification saves time—and brain cells. EMS teams in the field use tools like the VAN score to communicate stroke severity and activate hospital teams before arrival. This kind of real-time prehospital triage leads to faster interventions and better outcomes. 🔹 3. Technology bridges distance. EZ-button transport activation, tele-neurology, and AI-enabled imaging allow for faster decision-making—especially in rural or resource-limited areas. Even without mobile stroke units, these tools help smaller facilities provide timely, informed care. 🔹 4. Recovery doesn’t stop at discharge. Too often, stroke survivors are discharged with minimal guidance. Delaware’s model emphasizes the full continuum—from inpatient rehab to outpatient follow-up, primary care, behavioral health, and community reintegration. Every link matters. Not every hospital, EMS agency, or region has every piece of this system in place—but every community can take steps toward a more comprehensive, patient-centered stroke care model. #AmericanStrokeMonth #StrokeCare #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #Rehabilitation #EmergencyMedicine #StrokePrevention #HealthcareLeadership

Read the article here: PMID: 39961490 Imagine a world where life-saving technology flies directly to those in need! Danish researchers have just published groundbreaking results showing how semi-autonomous drones can deliver defibrillators to cardiac arrest victims. In this pioneering study conducted in Aalborg, Denmark, researchers successfully deployed AED-carrying drones to real cardiac emergencies. Unlike ambulances that face traffic and road constraints, these drones fly "as the crow flies" - taking the most direct route possible to reach patients. The results? All 16 drone deployments successfully delivered their AEDs without any safety incidents! The median drone response time was just 4 minutes and 47 seconds from dispatch to delivery. The hexacopter drones are remotely monitored by pilots (operating from across the border in Sweden!) and can fly beyond visual line of sight. When they reach their destination, they hover at 30 meters and lower the AED by winch, with a siren to help bystanders locate it. While there were challenges (weather issues prevented flights 29% of the time, and technical glitches caused 27% of cancellations), this study proves the concept is viable. The researchers found that strategic drone placement would be crucial - focusing on areas with longer ambulance response times but sufficient population density. This technology could revolutionize emergency response, especially in areas where traditional emergency services take longer to arrive. Beyond AED delivery, medical drones could livestream from accident scenes, assist in search and rescue operations, or transport critical medical supplies. The future of emergency medical response is looking up - literally! 🚁❤️

🚑 Why EMS Needs Smarter AI Tools—Now 🤖 In my latest article for JEMS (published today), I explore why the next era of EMS must include AI-enabled decision support systems EMS clinicians. These new AI systems should be force multipliers that reduce cognitive burden and improve patient safety. “EMS clinicians are managing advanced pharmacology in the field without the decision support tools hospitals take for granted.” Hospitals use tools like Micromedex, MedWise, and AI-integrated EHRs to prevent adverse drug events. Meanwhile, EMS teams face the same clinical complexity—without real-time support. That must change. EMS needs to lead the development of custom AI solutions that: 🚑  Reduce alert fatigue and cognitive overload 🚑  Flag dangerous drug interactions 🚑  Suggest overlooked differentials 🚑  Double check medications and dose caculations 🚑  Support triage and transport decisions As the global healthcare industry embraces AI, our EMS systems must also evolve to match the responsibility we place on clinicians. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g6yYtCsf Let’s build a future where every EMS clinician has the same intelligent support as our hospital counterparts and leverage the technology to improve safety and patient care. #EMS #ArtificialIntelligence #ClinicalDecisionSupport #JEMS