With a central role in the care of citizens in health emergencies, during the pandemic SAME exceeded 1,500 a day in aid and its operational headquarters received more than 20,000 calls a day.
SAME and Microsoft signed a long-term partnership agreement from which technology and training will be made available free of charge for the next three years.
As a first step of this agreement, EXO made available Microsoft 365 notebooks and Microsoft Azure-based telemedicine equipment specially adapted to SAME's needs that will help health professionals to improve coordination, reduce response times and save lives.
The Emergency Medical Care System (SAME), EXO and Microsoft announced the addition of technology to provide better care for citizens, make real-time data-based decisions and improve collaboration among all personnel. The initiative is part of a long-term cooperative agreement between SAME and Microsoft.
Prior to COVID-19, SAME carried out between 800 and 1,200 aid operations per day throughout the city. During the pandemic, the health-care system continued to function, but consultations and care for patients linked to COVID-19 increased, with SAME reaching over 1,500 a day. The number of calls received at the operational centre also increased significantly, reaching 20,000 consultations per day at times. The incorporation of technology into SAME is very important because, in addition to its medical excellence, it facilitates work at the operational centre and the design of systems that allow for improved data flow in order to obtain conclusions more quickly, make decisions in real time, arrive more quickly in the emergency and improve minute by minute.
"Technology allows us to enhance the work of all the trained human resources we have at SAME. These tools are very important for records, statistics, to improve response times and treatments. Technology allows us to monitor patients from the ambulances or helicopters and transmit them to our headquarters, and this is fundamental for improving the care of citizens. We are grateful to Microsoft and EXO for the contribution of these teams that put us in the front line of the world's emergencies," said Dr. Alberto Crescenti, director of SAME.
To strengthen SAME's technological system, EXO brought six notebooks with Microsoft 365 and two telemedicine equipment that connect through Microsoft Azure. The Centro de Diagnóstico Móvil (CDM) is a telemedicine equipment developed together with the Universidad Nacional de Rosario. It is the size of a notebook and allows four studies to be done: 12-lead electrocardiograms, blood pressure measurement, oximetry and blood temperature measurement. This equipment allows any health agent (nurses, paramedics, etc.) to perform studies without the need for specialists to be physically in the same place as the patients. Once the studies are done, they can be transmitted in real time, make a live video conference between doctor and patient or, in case there is no connection, they are recorded in the equipment which, once it has a connection, will connect to Microsoft Azure and will enable the specialist to access the studies from any device. The computers also incorporate Microsoft 365 which allows all health personnel to be connected and work collaboratively on any device.
"Our ambulances and helicopters are equipped with an emergency driver and a doctor. The benefit of incorporating telemedicine equipment in the units is that, depending on the situation, we can add any type of specialist online to have a more limited view of what is happening to the patient and thus also assign him to the most appropriate place to solve his pathology," added Dr. Federico Villagrán, Head of Operations 107 of SAME.
"Working together so that SAME can provide better care, supported by innovative technology, is one of the most important actions we are carrying out this year in the context of the pandemic. The use of telemedicine solutions for the common good was one of the pillars that we took into account when developing the Mobile Diagnostic Centre and seeing it reflected in the important work that SAME does is immensely gratifying. We believe that the collaboration between these three parties - SAME, Microsoft and EXO - is beneficial for the entire community," said Luis Szychowski, president of EXO.
Collaboration agreement
In the context of the challenges arising from COVID-19 and those to come in the post-pandemic scenario, the long-term collaboration agreement between SAME and Microsoft aims to promote the implementation of innovation solutions in health. It includes:
- Collaborative programs in emergency contexts.
- Training and advice on the use and handling of data, data protection and cyber security and collaboration tools, among others.
- Building and accessing Microsoft partner networks so that collaboration programs and joint initiatives can be established
"In this pandemic, we at Microsoft are acting as digital lifeguards to help health institutions with technology. Today, more than ever, technology is the great enabler that helps us connect, improve care, workflows and optimize interactions. When we approached SAME, we talked to them about their work, their routine, how it all changed because of the pandemic, and we started thinking about how our technology could make it easier for the medical team that takes care of our health every day. The agreement we are announcing today is the first step of a long term alliance from which Microsoft will contribute with technology and training to SAME's staff to advance in its digital transformation, thinking about improving the citizens' attention with innovation", concluded Fernando López Iervasi, General Manager of Microsoft Argentina.
Link to video
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/463155039
YouTube: https://youtu.be/9T3msUBeIzw
