SkyTrac, February 01, 2020 - Heli-Expo 2020, Anaheim — SKYTRAC announced the first-ever successful transfer of patient medical data through inflight cellular and satellite connectivity, paving the way for revolutionary new capabilities within the EMS industry.
Using the X Series® monitor/defibrillator from ZOLL® Medical Corporation, SKYTRAC now has the capability of transferring medical data through both cellular and satellite connections while en route to hospitals with SKYTRAC’s DAL-200 and ISAT- 200A avionics system.
The test was conducted in consultation with STAT MedEvac, one of the largest operated and dispatched air-medical transport systems in the United States.
“We’ve just proven that AI and Big Data aren’t the only ways to revolutionize the healthcare industry,” mentioned Jan van der Heul, VP Sales at SKYTRAC Systems. “We’ve successfully implemented a highly sought-after feature in collaboration with UPMC, STAT MedEvac, and ZOLL, and are excited to introduce this technology to the market,” concluded Van der Heul.
Engineers at SKYTRAC were able to successfully configure a ZOLL X Series device to connect to an onboard WiFi network enabled by the DAL-200. When cellular connectivity was available, the DAL-200 acted as a WiFi/cellular bridge that allowed the ZOLL X Series to connect to its own servers.
When cellular connectivity was unavailable, as is the case for most remote EMS missions, the DAL-200 enabled a redirection request to the ISAT-200A that encrypted and transmitted medical data through the Iridium satellite network to SKYTRAC, where it was then forwarded to ZOLL’s secure medical servers, This enables healthcare practitioners to access 12-lead reports before patients arrive in the emergency room.
The ability for clinicians to analyze data before a patient in critical condition reaches the hospital can be the difference between life and death.
Leonard Weiss, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Assistant Medical Director at STAT MedEvac sees immediate real-world implications deriving from this potential breakthrough.
“Transfer of care of critically ill patients is one of the riskiest phases of care, where up to 20% of patients in the U.S. may experience a harmful event. Current emergency and 911 communication systems are limited, utilizing archaic technology. Our work will be critical to developing future systems that allow early and robust coordination of care and alert waiting medical and surgical teams of inbound patients,” said Dr. Leonard Weiss.
About SKYTRAC Systems: SKYTRAC is aviation’s full-service, data-driven solutions provider. Since 1986, SKYTRAC has pioneered the development, evolution and commercialization of flight following, flight data and communications technology.
Today, with systems certified on over 900 airframes and an online data management portal that is the go-to tool for over 6,500 global users, SKYTRAC is truly the partner of choice for data-guided business insights. From performance trending and operations reporting to real-time asset tracking and situational awareness – SKYTRAC offers a one-stop response to meeting more of your company’s needs.
About STAT MedEvac: STAT MedEvac is a critical care transport system and is the clinical arm of The Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania (CEM). It is one of the largest single operated and dispatched air-medical transport system in the United States.
STAT MedEvac operates seventeen helicopter base sites in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania, Inc is a not-for-profit organization directed by a consortium of hospitals: UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, UPMC Hamot, UPMC Altoona, and UPMC Mercy Hospital.