Doha 6 May 2013

The Ambulance Service today launched a new telemetry service, allowing paramedic crews responding to an emergency involving a suspected heart attack, to transmit vital information from the scene.

The telemetry service, currently fitted to 60 ambulances in the fleet, allows paramedic crews to record and transmit the patient's Electrocardiograph (ECG) from the scene to the clinical team leader in the National Control Centre (NCC).

The clinical team leader then makes an informed decision as to whether the patient should be transported to the Heart Hospital or to Hamad General Hospital. If the patient is being transferred to the Heart Hospital, the ECG is transmitted from the Life Pack 15 machines to the Heart Hospital for the Cardiologist to look at before the patient arrives. This enables staff at the Heart Hospital to be prepared with the appropriate intervention required for the patient before his arrival.

Dr. Loua Al Shaikh, Chief Physician of the Ambulance Service said that when dealing with heart attacks, timing is crucial.

"This new equipment will streamline the process of transmitting information about the patient to the doctor who will be receiving the patient at Heart Hospital and ensure more informed clinical decisions can be made in advance and therefore treatment for the patient can begin sooner," he said.

"Over the past few years, the Ambulance Service has grown tremendously to accommodate the growing population of Qatar. We currently have up to 60 ambulances fitted with the new Life Pack 15 machines providing telemetry support for cardiac patients. We intend to develop the service further as the service grows."

Dr. Abdulrazak .A. Gehani, Chairman of Cardiology at the Heart Hospital said the ability to wirelessly transfer the patient's ECG to the hospital is a remarkable advance in process.

"It not only speeds up the diagnosis of the patient but also allows us to be prepared as we are receiving a full picture of the patient's condition," he said. "Apart from transmitting the ECG, the system also sends across other important data such as blood pressure, heart rhythm and rate, amount of oxygen in blood and other vital information about their condition."

Dr. Gehani added "The Heart Hospital receives a large number of patients on daily basis and has developed very advanced programs and services of world-class medical and coronary interventions. The number of procedures is in line with international figures and standards.

An enhanced version of the system where the ECG will simultaneously be transmitted to the smartphone of the cardiologist who is on call, will be introduced soon."

As part of its efforts to better serve the public, the Ambulance Service is asking the public to play their part in helping to save lives in an emergency by following five simple steps:

  • Dial 999 immediately in case of a medical emergency.  

  • The Ambulance Service will not know to send help until they are called. 

  • Know your location so the ambulance can find you easily.

  • Answer all questions on the call so they know what support you need.  

  • Follow all instructions given by the emergency call handler; it could help save a life. 

  • Finally, the Ambulance Service asks for all drivers to give way to ambulances on the road.

-Ends-

About HMC
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the principal public healthcare provider for the State of Qatar. The Corporation manages eight hospitals along with further specialist clinical, educational and research facilities, and is growing in capacity each year around the diverse needs of the evolving population. HMC's ambition is to become an academic health system; a world leading center of excellence in clinical care, medical education and research that transforms into significant clinical advancements. 

HMC believes in excellence in healthcare, education and research with each supporting the other to provide world-class quality patient care in a safe and healing environment.

As well as four general hospitals situated in the most densely populated areas of Qatar, HMC also manages four specialist hospitals, looking after patients with the most prevalent conditions, including cancer, heart conditions, rehabilitation, and a hospital providing specialist treatment for women. HMC also operates the national Ambulance Service and a home healthcare service.

The Corporation was the first public healthcare system outside the United States to achieve Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for all hospitals simultaneously. JCI accreditation is based on quality and safety across all clinical and management functions. HMC is also the first hospital system in the Middle East to achieve institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education - International (ACGME-I), which demonstrates excellence in the way medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs. www.hamad.qa

Tel: (+974) 44398919
Fax: (+974) 4439524
rmorris@hmc.org.qa
P.O. Box 3050
Doha, Qata
www.hamad.qa

© Press Release 2013