The Journal of mHealth Vol 1 Issue 6 (Dec 2014) | Page 19

Industry News

Tablet-based Ultrasound Trial
Shows Lifesaving Potential in
Emergency Services
Samsung Electronics America has
recently announced the preliminary
results of a groundbreaking trial into
the use of tablet-based ultrasound in
emergency services vehicles. A total
of six emergency services vehicles at
Bedford, Hurst and DFW Airport Fire
Departments in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area have been equipped with Samsung’s
PT60A ultrasound as part of an ongoing trial.
Since the trial began in July of 2014, ultrasound has been employed in 91 callouts
to support diagnosis in cases involving
trauma, internal bleeding, acute abdominal pain and cardiac arrest. In cases where
specialist opinion is required, ultrasound
images are transmitted wirelessly from
the on-board device to doctors at JPS
Health Network through Trice Imaging’s
mobile encryption and image management system. The system also allows
physicians to collaborate in real-time in
order to prepare for the patient’s arrival
at the emergency room.
The first phase of the trial has revealed
a number of key findings. In several
instances, the transmission of ultrasound images has enabled medics and/
or doctors at the hospital to positively
identify internal bleeding/fluids, resulting in faster treatment upon the patients’
arrival at the emergency room. Early
diagnosis has also enabled the hospital
to ensure relevant specialists are on hand
upon the patient’s arrival.
Medics at DFW Airport’s Fire Department have utilised ultrasound on cardiac patients presenting no pulse. While
the existing protocol has been to contact their medical director to determine
whether to cease resuscitation efforts, in
several instances ultrasound has detected
heart movement and medics have continued treatment, resulting in return of
spontaneous circulation and eventual
patient discharge.
More than 50 medics have been success-

fully trained on the use of Samsung’s
PT60A ultrasound system, receiving certification from the Chief of Trauma. In
the field, medics have been able to rapidly access the tablet-based ultrasound
to conduct scans while the patient is in
transit. Wireless image transmission to
the medical director has taken as little as
30 seconds.
“This trial has demonstrat ed the significant potential for expanded use of
point-of-care ultrasound by emergency
services medics,” said Dr. Roy Yamada,
EMS Medical Director for the Dallas/Fort Worth area. “By transmitting
images from the Samsung PT60 in the
ambulance to specialists at the hospital
in real time, we are able to make critical
decisions that can save precious minutes
and have a tangible impact on outcomes
for trauma and cardiac patients.”
The Samsung PT60A, Samsung’s first
tablet-based ultrasound system, is
designed specifically for point-of-care
applications. Using the one-touch measurement features of the ultra-portable
and compact device, exam results are
delivered with maximum efficiency. The
system’s Auto IMT™ and quick diagno-

sis report can help providers make critical decisions and enable timely treatment
for the patient.
“Time to the operating theatre is critical
in determining the survival of trauma
patients,” added Dr. Raj Gandhi, Trauma
Medical Director, John Peter Smith
Hospital, Fort Worth. “By receiving
ultrasound images from the emergency
services personnel while the patient is
en route, I can make a more accurate
determination if surgery is required and
have the patient transported directly to
the operating room. This trial points to
a significant opportunity to improve our
emergency services protocols that has
the potential to save many lives.”
Doug Ryan, Group Vice President,
Health & Medical Equipment, commented: “Samsung has made a longterm commitment to leveraging its
technology to bring new innovations to
healthcare. The Samsung PT60A was
developed to provide quick, accurate
diagnosis at the point-of-care and it is
exciting to see its lifesaving potential
demonstrated through this groundbreaking emergency services trial
together with Trice Imaging.” n

The Journal of mHealth

17