A Smartphone APPlication for the Transmission of ECGs in the Management of Patients Presenting With Suspected Heart Attacks in the Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand, and Brant Area

The delivery of timely and appropriate care is crucial for patients with heart attacks. Blocked arteries need immediate intervention to restore blood flow. However, the intervention to open the artery is only available in large, regional hospitals. There are only 18 such hospitals across Ontario. Patients with heart attacks in smaller hospitals, where the majority of patients present, require transfer for specialized services. The smartphone application being evaluated in this study is meant to help with communication between doctors to arrange transfer of such patients. The current model for communication is based on fax machines or non-secure text messages. Additionally, these are not easily accessible for most physicians, so decisions to transfer patients may be based on incomplete information. Unnecessary transfer, treatments, and procedures expose patients and healthcare providers to undue risk. Smartphone technology is well integrated into clinical practice and widely accessible. The proposed solution being tested is secure and leverages the accessibility of smartphones. Emergency physicians can use this to quickly, securely, and accurately transmit information ensuring faster and appropriate decision making for transfers.