INDUSTRY WATCH
Tristan Wood , Managing Director and Founder of Livewire Digital , developers of the RazorLink SD-WAN technology that is deployed to bond all bearers into a true , hybrid connection , said : “ The ability to have and maintain a robust , seamless connection , capable of managing all content including live video is becoming increasingly important across industries , not least in healthcare where minutes and even seconds are critical .
“ The Hybrid Connex programme is groundbreaking in the sense that it ’ s connecting clinicians , paramedics and patients on the move with unparalleled resiliency . True hybrid connectivity , where all bearers including satellite , cellular and Wi-Fi are bonded into one robust ‘ pipe ’ is the only way to support our patients now , and in the future .”
While it is true that satellite connectivity is not currently ‘ the norm ’ when it comes to emergency services communications , there can be no doubt that its inclusion into a single bonded solution – where it is called upon when cellular connectivity is unavailable – will have significant benefits for resilience , especially in a large-scale , mass casualty incident , where experience has proved that one of the first things to fail or become overloaded are cellular communications .
An always-on Wi-Fi bubble around the ambulance allows staff to connect to digital systems such as NHS Spine-connected services , giving them access to patient history and enabling them to identify alternative care pathways , make the right decisions for the patient and provide the opportunity for the best possible clinical outcomes .
• Four vehicles from EEAST had Hybrid Connex Technology installed . Apple iPads were configured to auto connect to the vehicles ’ Wi-Fi bubbles , and this was 99 % successful during the trial period
• Crews operating in fleet not equipped with Hybrid Connex have reported being able to access the trial vehicles ’ Wi-Fi bubbles when in proximity and therefore receive patient records
• Where crews on the trial vehicles experienced stable high-speed Wi-Fi connection they were able to access data and information while responding to calls in areas of low or no cellular coverage
• One paramedic who used the system said : “ There was very stable Wi-Fi in the middle of nowhere , achieving 150Mbps download . I conducted a Teams meeting in the passenger seat with excellent clarity and connection stability .”
EEAST was the first ambulance service to pilot the service which has already shown the benefit of a faster and more stable connection to digital systems even while the vehicle is on the move . In some cases that connection has been able to extend into patients ’ homes , resulting in the ability for staff to make Wi-Fi calls in low and no cellular connectivity areas .
Philip Elvidge , Electronic Patient Care Records Lead ( Paramedic ) at EEAST worked on the trial and said : “ When we lose connection , clinical apps stop being able to pull information from our CAD system , cease being able to pull information from our PDS trace to bring the patient ’ s NHS number into record and prevent us being able to upload information to our key partners . However , with Hybrid Connex we have been able to access the Summary Care Records and National Record Locator consistently , which gives staff access to patients ’ End of Life and Mental Health Plans , giving access to key information any time of the day to help us make the right clinical decisions .
“ As we move forward with the integration of digital technology to ambulance front line care , we have access to more information about our patients than ever before , but we need to be connected all of the time to take advantage of it . Paramedics need to know they can always have the same information available no matter where they attend to their patients . With Hybrid Connex in place , we are already seeing how a guaranteed connection improves our patient care , as we can download information about the patient and access their clinical records whenever needed . We are already starting to use new functionality like video calling to a stroke consultant in a specialist centre , for example .”
Monica France , Programme Manager for Digital Transformation at NHS Arden & GEM , a partner in the consortium delivering the programme , said : “ Hybrid Connex is a dynamic project that we are really pleased to be involved in . Arden & GEM ’ s role is to support the relationship between NHS and industry . This will ensure that the delivery of efficient and effective patient care is at the forefront of the research .” p
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