When you're experiencing a medical emergency every minute counts. That is why Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center is offering the ICE Michiana App.
The smartphone app available for iOS and Android devices allows first responders and patients to send critical medical information directly to the emergency room. Users download the app and input the relevant information by following the prompts. Then if an emergency happens, first responders, or the patient, can send that information straight to a participating hospital.
First responders say initially being able to access that information makes it easier to treat patients before they get to the hospital.
"We carry over 30 medications on the ambulance, so I have to be careful about what medications to give a patient based on their allergies or their condition," says Mishawaka Fire Department Lt.. Kerry Hershberger.
Having the information on hand also means responders won't have to aimlessly call cell phone contact numbers.
"I got a gentleman who was out of state, and he says, 'I know who you're talking about, but I know have any medical information. I know he lives with his uncle.' I looked through the phone, found the uncle's name..given to me from that other guy, and the uncle was able to give me all the information. Took about 5 to 7 minutes at that time to get all the information, if this gentleman had the ICE app on his phone, I would have had it in seconds," says Hershberger.
Emergency Room doctors say having that information before a patient arrives cuts down the work load for nurses.
"Nurses right now have to sit at the computer and hand enter that information, usually talking in triage. That'll cut down on their work. It'll get them back to where we want them, which is with the patients," say St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Emergency Room doctor, Jason Jaronik.
Doctors and first responders say getting that important information quickly could mean the difference between life or death.
And it's a resource smart phone users can download for free.
"We came to this conclusion that this was an asset not to be monetized, this was intended to be a gift," says President of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Albert Gutierrez.
If you don't have a smartphone, you can still participate in the program with paper kits. You can pick up a kit at fire stations, SJRMC facilities, and other sires.
The app is available at the iTunes Store and the Google Play Store.
For questions on either program, or for a comprehensive list of distribution locations for the ICE Michiana kit, please call 1-800-914-9488 or visit www.theICEapp.com.
