NorthEast Medical Center able to diagnose heart attack patients quicker using HP iPAQ Pocket PCs

For the six months that this Cardiac and Imaging Information System has been deployed, NorthEast Medical Center has set a new national benchmark for heart catheterization "door-to-dilation" response, the time between the patient's arrival at a cardiac catheterization lab from the field while bypassing the emergency department and the successful completion of an angioplasty procedure to alleviate the effects of a blocked coronary artery. The NorthEast Medical Center holds the new national benchmark of 27 minutes compared to the national average of 104 minutes.

"We've experienced the satisfying results of when mobile technology, people, communications and careful planning work together to save lives", stated Dr. Paul Campbell, M.D., cardiologist, NorthEast Medical Center. "We hope hospitals across the country consider deploying a similar solution given the rise of heart disease in the United States."

NorthEast Medical Center is currently educating residents to activate this emergency response system by dialing 9-1-1 when recognizing signs and symptoms of a heart attack. The Cardiac and Imaging Information System consists of a HP iPAQ Pocket PC h5450, HP DeskPro workstations, and third-party mobile monitors, EKG application software, and wireless network and service.

NorthEast Medical Center, located in Concord, North Carolina, is a regional 457-bed, not-for-profit medical centre, with a reputation for excellence built on advanced technology, medical staff talent, quality, and compassionate care.

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