Wireless ECGs speed heart attack treatment

A new study by cardiologists at Duke has found evidence that appears to back the effectiveness of wireless systems that transmit electrocardiogram data from ambulances on their way to hospitals. Doctors were able to access data on heart attacks on their PDAs, giving them more time to evaluate cases before they arrived in the emergency department. That difference, the researchers argue, is critical.

Lead researcher George Adams comments, "When the cardiologist can directly see an ECG, it clarifies the decision to mobilize all the personnel necessary for the cath lab to be ready to go when the patient arrives." Adams' team plans a larger study later this year to confirm the findings that will look at data on 12 hospitals.

- see this article from PC Magazine