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Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Chad Koenen - Starbuck Times New Editor   
Thursday, 17 June 2010 09:42

"(The new computers and program) allows us to get patient information to the hospital a lot quicker so they know what we are dealing with," said Greg Meyers


In the battle between life and death, time is of the essence. However, Glacial Ridge Emergency Services and Training Manager Greg Meyers is hoping that new computers installed in each ambulance rig will transform a seemingly never ending drive from a handcuff, to a fact finding mission.

Used in conjunction with the Electronic Medical Records at Glacial Ridge Health Systems, doctors can pull up patient information and compare it to certain vital signs being transmitted from the ambulance to GRHS. Not only does the information help emergency personnel on the road, but gives doctors at the hospital a chance to relay important patient information to help treat the patient before the ambulance arrives at the hospital.

Meyers said having all of the vital signs transmitted electronically to the hospital can essentially allow the doctors to begin treating a patient before they even arrive at the hospital. For instance, a patients EKG is transmitted beat by beat to the hospital so a doctor can look for any irregularities that may come up. When every second counts, Meyers said being able to get the vital patient information to the hospital faster, and allowing them to plan ahead, is an asset to both emergency personnel as well as the patient.

The new computers and wireless cards were purchased with the help of a grant from Minnesota Rural Flexibility Grant, a program offered by the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care of the Minnesota Department of Health. GRHS received another grant which helped cover the cost of the new software.

In addition to aiding patient care, each ambulance is equipped with a GPS to help the ambulance drivers locate roads and get directions to the scene of an accident. Meyers said the GPS will be an asset to emergency personnel who may not be familiar with certain areas of the county or may be new to the area.

But the new computer system isn't the only exciting addition for the ambulance service. Two new ambulances were recently put into service and are a far cry from the cramped space of their predecessors. The new ambulances feature LED lights, a camera in the back of the ambulance, more storage space, sliding doors, power lift beds, and just a modern day makeover from previous ambulance rigs.

While not a major problem in Pope County, the new ambulances also feature an opticon which has the ability to turn stoplights green. Meyers said having the capability to control stoplights is a real asset when transferring patients to other hospitals like in St. Cloud. Instead of spending time sitting at a stoplight with a patient in critical condition, an ambulance can turn a stoplight green helping the patient arrive at the hospital sooner thereby increasing their chance of survival.

The two new rigs will also provide some much-needed flexibility to the growing ambulance service. Meyers said as emergency calls continue to increase in the ambulance services base territory, GRHS Ambulance Service covers all of Pope County and a portion of Stearns County, a need for an additional ambulance rig was something the emergency personnel could not overlook. In the past the hospital maintained four ambulance rigs and strategically positioned with one in Brooten and Starbuck, as well as two in Glenwood.

As calls have increased, so to have the need to transfer patients to neighboring hospitals in the region. With only four ambulances and three base locations, Meyers said he was occasionally left with a scheduling conflict as more than one patient transfer was needed at the same time. However, with a fifth ambulance rig, emergency personnel can transfer an additional patient without having to worry about leaving a portion of the GRHS Ambulance Service territory uncovered.

"Now I can send trucks out of here and still have backup," he said.

Overall, Meyers said the new ambulance, computers, and computer system is just another way for GRHS emergency personnel to provide safe, effective and quicker care for patients in need. With all of the upgrades, Meyers said patient care "has increased our patient outcome two-fold, it just really makes a difference."