Pictured above: Representatives from Lakeridge Health, Oshawa Fire Services, the City of Oshawa, Durham Region Paramedics, local government officials, and General Motors Canada at the launch of the PulsePoint app at Lakeridge Health's Oshawa Hospital in September.
By: Donna McTeague, Communications Advisor, Lakeridge Health
Lakeridge Health, Oshawa Fire Services, the City of Oshawa, General Motors Canada, and the Durham Region Critical Incident Stress Team have come together to introduce the lifesaving PulsePoint app to Durham Region.
PulsePoint allows cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-trained users to perform CPR and/or find an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the critical minutes before first responders arrive.
PulsePoint works within the Oshawa Fire Services' dispatch system by alerting CPR-trained users through the app when someone in a nearby public place requires CPR for a cardiac arrest and provides users with information on where to find the closest public AED. Those who have the app and are in close proximity will get the alert and will be able to respond. The app will advise users of any cardiac incident within specific areas that Oshawa Fire dispatches to, including Oshawa, Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge. PulsePoint has also been implemented in Kingston, Winnipeg, and throughout British Columbia, in addition to many areas throughout the United States.
More than 45,000 Canadians suffer out of hospital cardiac arrest annually, with only eight per cent surviving to hospital discharge. Many of these deaths are preventable through CPR provided by trained bystanders who are nearby, with one additional life saved for every 10 people who receive bystander CPR.
“As the main health-care provider in Durham Region, we believe in the importance of collaboration and using innovative technologies to improve the health of the people who live here," said Dr. Randy Wax, Physician Lead for the Critical Care Outreach Team and President of the Lakeridge Health Medical Staff Association.
“We're pleased that this app not only brings our partners together to improve our response to this extreme medical emergency outside of the hospital, but also harnesses the power of individuals in our communities willing to provide CPR to help save lives."
Community members also have the opportunity to assist in building a comprehensive AED Registry through the companion PulsePoint AED app. This registry will display AED's and co-located resources, such as bleeding control kits, Naloxone, and Epinephrine.
The free app is available for download on iTunes and Google Play. More information is available at www.pulsepoint.org.