Mindray Italy Pioneers Europe's First 4G BeneHeart D60 Project
In any line of healthcare, dealing with chest pain is crucial. It often leads people to the emergency room, and if not treated quickly and correctly, it can have serious consequences. In 2023 the “Agenzia Regionale Emergenza Urgenza” (AREU – Regional Emergency and Urgency Company), which is responsible for emergency services in the Lombardy region, set out to speed up diagnoses, organize patient care efficiently, and improve co-ordination between emergency rescuers and hospitals.
Understanding the importance of fast diagnosis and treatment, Mindray Italy started an innovative project – the first project in Europe involving the D60 defibrillator - to improve the speed and efficiency of heart emergency treatment working with its distributor, Solmed, and the AREU.
In-keeping with the region’s excellent track record for healthcare, the group aimed to use Mindray’s advanced healthcare technologies to digitalise and optimise data flow from rescue sites so operators and healthcare professionals can deliver the right care to patients faster.
Empowering A Critical Player
AREU is the primary regional emergency medical service provider in Lombardy, Italy. Operating as a public entity, AREU coordinates and manages emergency medical activities such as the supervision of ambulance services, medical transport, and emergency response operations.
Emergency calls are managed from specialised Regional Emergency Health Operations Rooms (SOREUs) which are located in Milan, Como, Bergamo and Pavia. The SOREU is responsible for sending the appropriate medical support until the rescue is complete, or the patient is entrusted to the most suitable hospital.
The AREU is a critical player in the region’s healthcare landscape, ensuring the swift and effective delivery of emergency medical care to both residents and visitors in Lombardy.
A Patient Centric Solution
Patient-centric care is at the core of the Lombardy health system. The emergency rescue project would need to deliver continuous monitoring of vital signs and timely defibrillation throughout the entire emergency response, from the onset of the mission to hospital transport.
To do this, the team needed three components – the right defibrillator, a method for remote data collection, and the ability to process and update the ePCR system used by AREU, Emmaweb.
1. The right defibrillator
The BeneHeart D60 defibrillator distinguished itself during the tender process for its lightweight design, user-friendly interface, high-quality display, advanced ECG capabilities, efficient data transmission, and the cutting-edge QShockTM technology which ensures rapid shock delivery. Rescuers can even get feedback on the effect of CPR in real-time with structured debriefing.
2. Remote data collection
Central to this innovative system was the BeneVision CMS Server Edition. The virtual system streamlines data collection and sharing across AREU’s operating rooms but also ensures strict compliance with GDPR guidelines. Operators at the SOREU can seamlessly access real-time monitoring data and alarms, complete with waveform details, in one place on the Web Server. For heightened data security all 4G SIMs are connected to the internet through a private APN, safeguarding the integrity and confidentiality of the information transmitted. For additional security, the server is situated in the AREU server farms.
3. Data Transmission and Processing
Every BeneHeart D60 defibrillator is designed to efficiently transmit 12-lead ECG reports to the "CMS server" via the 4G network. Upon receipt, the PDF report seamlessly undergoes processing through Mindray’s virtual eGateway system to integrate with the ePCR system used by AREU.
Advancing Emergency Heart Care
The first ten D60 defibrillators installed in Brescia were highly successful. The 24/7 patient monitoring and advanced ECG analysis represent a big step forward in emergency heart care. With access to 12-lead ECG data, AREU can quickly assign the proper medical resources based on the patient condition and decide which hospital to send patients to. Hospital Cardiac Care Units can also see data from the D60 in their territory so they can prepare for emergency arrivals and provide treatment faster.
In the first two years around 9,000 patients have benefited from this advanced technology, receiving rapid interventions and appropriate referrals to the most suitable healthcare facilities. Brescia's success led to 15 additional BeneHeart D60 defibrillators ordered for deployment in the neighboring Pavia area.
Notably, the project extends to include the installation of 25 BeneHeart C2 AEDs . These devices are the backup machines of main defibrillators, useful in case of fault for the primary monitor or multi patient mission.. Solmed and AREU have inked a 9-year contract for the maintenance of all Mindray devices for the project.
