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"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower". (Steve Jobs)

Posted on Aug 10, 2011 by MMT   |  

One of the most exciting elements of our industry is the constant evolution of devices, procedures, and improvements in patient care. Almost daily there are new innovations and ideas being tested and developed to improve our quality of life regardless of the disability, disease or ailment that we live with.

Even so, when we lose someone to Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, or numerous other incurable diseases of our day, we are catapulted into reality and reminded that we still have a very long way to go. In a world where we can travel to the moon, communicate face to face in real time across the globe, and perform major surgical procedures using precise lasers and cameras, it’s difficult to understand why we still have to watch a loved one die of Cancer and Heart Disease. Yet, even with our struggle to conquer Cancer or eradicate paralysis caused by spinal cord injury, we as a society are still doing some amazing things. One doesn’t need to go back in time very far to remember when removing a gallbladder meant major invasive surgery followed by several days in the hospital. Today, it’s usually performed as an outpatient procedure called laparoscopy.

As a company, we try to remain on the cutting edge of our industry. While there isn’t a lot that can be done to dramatically change the way we move a patient from point A to point B, there is certainly a lot that can be done to enhance and improve the experience. With TV’s on board, reclining leather captain’s chairs for family, privacy glass with pull down shades and satellite radio, we have certainly elevated the patient transport experience to a much higher level than the old “stretcher in the back of a diesel ambulance” option. Electrical outlets on board allow the patient or family member to charge their laptops or operate other electrical devices. And in a matter of days, we will unveil our newest piece of equipment….the addition of IPAD’s on board our long distance vehicles equipped with many software applications, including one that allows a non-verbal patient to type what they would like to say while the program repeats their message in voice format.

In the spirit of innovation and improvement to the quality of life of the patients that we serve, we make every effort to support and assist organizations who share our values on this. Recently, we have learned of a study by the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) at the Georgia Institute of Technology, in conjunction with the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, on investigating the risk factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers on spinal cord injury individuals. To participate, one must live in the Atlanta area, be a male between the ages of 18-40 and have had a spinal cord injury for at least two years. For more information on how you may participate, please contact Susan Perlman with CATEA at 404-894-2861 or susan.perlman@coa.gatech.edu.

Tagged: medical transport, non emergency medical transporation, patient transport, long distance medical transportation, cross country patient transport, patient travel, ambulance transportation, stretcher transport, medical innovations transport