Sunday, November 25, 2007
Medical Alert Technology from Israel
I have just returned from two weeks in Israel. I visit at least once a year in support of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (www israelsoldiers.org) and Shurat Hadin (www.israellawcenter.org), an organization that sues terror organizations to break their backs financially . I also go to investigate new breakthroughs and business opportunities in medical alert technology. Israel is a small country, about the size of New Jersey. It has two natural resources, (a) minerals from the Dead Sea, and (b) brainpower. There are thousands of interesting technologies developed in Israel, Some of the products we are involved with include a Dick Tracy style watch phone with GPS developed by Aerotel (www.aerotel.com) Another wristwatch device measures blood pressure, EKG, pulse oxymetry, temperature, etc. and sends this wirelessly back to a monitoring station. This was developed by medic4all, (www.medic4all.com) These devices are in widespread distribution in Israel and Europe, and are starting to be sold in the US. Our rigorous FDA approval process usually delays the US adoption 18 months on average. Other exciting products include medical alarm systems made by Visonic, including medical alarms, automatic fall detectors, and bluetooth wireless medical monitoring devices. See (www.visonic.com) .My company, Pioneer helps introduce some of these products to US markets. Many other Israeli breakthroughs provide benefits here, such as the pill camera. You swallow the pill camera, and it transmits pictures as it navigates through your digestive tract, non-invasively. givenimaging.com)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Medical Alert / Triple System Redundancy
I write this post from Los Angeles after midnight. My family has evacuated from Del Mar CA today as a result of the San Diego Fires. Our home lies directly in the path of the firestorm in a neighborhood bordering Rancho Santa Fe. At a time like this I am reflecting on what I could have done better to reduce the risk. First, the customer alarm monitoring center is totally safe and secure.It was never at risk. Our monitoring center is owned by Acadian Ambulance Services and located in Lafayette, LA 1500 miles away. Acadian is the largest privately owned ambulance company in the country. Acadian wrote the book on redundancy. And they weren't afraid to rewrite it with lessons learned after Hurricane Katrina. Acadian is run by a former Westinghouse engineer who believes in triple redundancy. Acadians monitoring center was built to withstand 170mph winds, and has back up generators to power the facility for weeks in the event of a power failure. The dual telephone and power feeds are underground. The Acadian building also houses the 911 backup center for the county. During Hurricane Katrina a 3rd party backup monitoring facility was in place in Michigan...just in case. Acadian staff slept at the facility, and manned 100 phone lines throughout Hurrican Katrina. This was accomplished while they operated the triage center at the New Orleans Superdome. rescued infants and elderly from facilities throughtout the state. They were credited with saving 7000 lives. In the Spring (07) Acadian bought another monitoring facility 240 miles from Lafayette in Houston ,TX. The two facilities (Lafayette and Houston) continuosly back each other up. And just in case,the Michigan center is the third back up.. Before we evacuated Solana Beach, I made one phone call to Blane Comeaux VP of Acadian Monitoring. Blane instantly agreed to handle all customer service needs. We forwarded all phones to Acadian, who continued to instantly live answer our telephones, and handle customer service needs immediately. We packed our vehicles, grabbed emergency earthquake supplies and left town in a hurry. At this point in time, I'm pleased to report, our valued customer were 100% unaffected by our San Diego disaster. Our sales calls were patched to our sales associates in Florida.(( Christy , our sales manager. was busy writing orders for new customers medical alarms until she was forced to evacuate her own house in Solana Beach, and reluctantly turned the sales over to Art . and Roberta . in Florida.)) Other employees had to evacuate their homes as well.
Before we evacuated we removed the computer servers and locked the fire proof safe. We evacuated our family, two German Shepherds and two cats. Please keep us in your prayers as the firestorm was three miles from our homes and closing distance. We won't know for a few days if we will be fortunate enough to have a home to return to, In the course of evacuating we made two other stops, and abandoned those locations after they became dangerous as well. We also stopped in to see my son Matthew, and his girlfriend Michelle at Caltech in Pasadena.
Thanks to my dedicated staff and the excellent professionals and disaster experts at Acadian Ambulance.
Before we evacuated we removed the computer servers and locked the fire proof safe. We evacuated our family, two German Shepherds and two cats. Please keep us in your prayers as the firestorm was three miles from our homes and closing distance. We won't know for a few days if we will be fortunate enough to have a home to return to, In the course of evacuating we made two other stops, and abandoned those locations after they became dangerous as well. We also stopped in to see my son Matthew, and his girlfriend Michelle at Caltech in Pasadena.
Thanks to my dedicated staff and the excellent professionals and disaster experts at Acadian Ambulance.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Medical Alert Videos
While my son was home from college (Caltech) this summer he updated our website
www.pioneeremergency.com , and convinced me that I had to leave the comfort of the Stone Age, and it was time to start creating this blog, and to make videos. I knew nothing about blogs and videos. I am not a techie. Not accustomed to hearing "no," he pulled out the video camera, wrote a script, and sat me down on the living room couch, and the camera started to roll. If these videos look like they were made by total amateurs, in the privacy of their homes, it's because they were. I think this was the first time my son used the camera. I've done several TV interviews before, but always with real cameraman and real TV interviewers. None came with scripts. Anyway, we hope the videos will be helpful to the audience. Please notice one of my German Shepherds walking through the film shoot. Her first film. Next time, I'll try to look straight at the camera.
Medical Alert Video
Medical Alert Lock Box Video
www.pioneeremergency.com , and convinced me that I had to leave the comfort of the Stone Age, and it was time to start creating this blog, and to make videos. I knew nothing about blogs and videos. I am not a techie. Not accustomed to hearing "no," he pulled out the video camera, wrote a script, and sat me down on the living room couch, and the camera started to roll. If these videos look like they were made by total amateurs, in the privacy of their homes, it's because they were. I think this was the first time my son used the camera. I've done several TV interviews before, but always with real cameraman and real TV interviewers. None came with scripts. Anyway, we hope the videos will be helpful to the audience. Please notice one of my German Shepherds walking through the film shoot. Her first film. Next time, I'll try to look straight at the camera.
Medical Alert Video
Medical Alert Lock Box Video
Medical Alert Videos
While my son was home from college (Caltech) this summer he updated our website
www.pioneeremergency.com , and convinced me that I had to leave the comfort of the Stone Age, and it was time to start creating this blog, and to make videos. I knew nothing about blogs and videos. I am not a techie. Not accustomed to hearing "no," he pulled out the video camera, wrote a script, and sat me down on the living room couch, and the camera started to roll. If these videos look like they were made by total amateurs, in the privacy of their homes, it's because they were. I think this was the first time my son used the camera. I've done several TV interviews before, but always with real cameraman and real TV interviewers. None came with scripts. Anyway, we hope the videos will be helpful to the audience. Please notice one of my German Shepherds walking through the film shoot. Her first film. Next time, I'll try to look straight at the camera.
www.pioneeremergency.com , and convinced me that I had to leave the comfort of the Stone Age, and it was time to start creating this blog, and to make videos. I knew nothing about blogs and videos. I am not a techie. Not accustomed to hearing "no," he pulled out the video camera, wrote a script, and sat me down on the living room couch, and the camera started to roll. If these videos look like they were made by total amateurs, in the privacy of their homes, it's because they were. I think this was the first time my son used the camera. I've done several TV interviews before, but always with real cameraman and real TV interviewers. None came with scripts. Anyway, we hope the videos will be helpful to the audience. Please notice one of my German Shepherds walking through the film shoot. Her first film. Next time, I'll try to look straight at the camera.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Medical Alert Bracelets
Medical Alert Bracelets have two distinct types. The first is a piece of jewelry that identifies the wearer as having a significant medical problem, or serious allergy. This might warn a would be rescuer that the patient has an artificial heart valve or is allergic to penicillin. The second medical alert bracelet is an electronic bracelet, like a wrist watch with a help button . When the button is pressed, an alarm mechanism is activated and help is summoned.
This article is about the electronic bracelet type. The medical alert bracelet is designed so that the wearer can call for help anytime, if they fall, experience chest discomfort, or need attention. These devices should be waterproof, so the user can take the wrist bracelet into the shower or bath tub. Most of the devices contain batteries which will power the devices for several years, but they should be tested at least monthly. Our batteries last ten years or 50-100,000 pushes.
Our company provides these bracelets, but I typically advise clients to consider wearing a neck pendant instead of the wristband. My logic is simple. Imagine you are wearing the wrist bracelet on your left wrist. You fall, and hurt your right arm, rendering it temporarily numb. Now, try and deploy the button on you wrist band. To simulate this, put your right hand behind your back. If you are like most people, you can't press the button unless you have a real pointy nose! So my choice would be the more reliable one... the neck pendant. People ask me why we even offer to provide the wrist bracelet. Here is my answer. One of our largest customers is the Veterans Administration. Many of our VA clients served in the US Marine Corps in WWII and find it effeminate to wear a neck pendant. So for our beloved leathernecks, if you want it, you got it! Just don't blame me you can't press the button.
I strongly recommend the neck pendant. The chain we provide is hypo-allergenic, so the client can wear the pendant 24/7 without a skin reaction. It should be worn continuously and the pendant is waterproof so it can be worn in the shower or tub. The pendant employs the same ten year battery as our wrist bracelet, but should still be tested monthly. When the button is deployed, the button activates our special super-amplified speaker- phone which calls our monitoring center. Within 45 seconds one of our trained operators will speak with the client over the speaker-phone. If help is required, we dispatch assistance promptly.
Whatever button you chose, be sure to wear it, and test it monthly. More information about our systems can be found at www.pioneeremergency.com or calling (800) 274-8274
This article is about the electronic bracelet type. The medical alert bracelet is designed so that the wearer can call for help anytime, if they fall, experience chest discomfort, or need attention. These devices should be waterproof, so the user can take the wrist bracelet into the shower or bath tub. Most of the devices contain batteries which will power the devices for several years, but they should be tested at least monthly. Our batteries last ten years or 50-100,000 pushes.
Our company provides these bracelets, but I typically advise clients to consider wearing a neck pendant instead of the wristband. My logic is simple. Imagine you are wearing the wrist bracelet on your left wrist. You fall, and hurt your right arm, rendering it temporarily numb. Now, try and deploy the button on you wrist band. To simulate this, put your right hand behind your back. If you are like most people, you can't press the button unless you have a real pointy nose! So my choice would be the more reliable one... the neck pendant. People ask me why we even offer to provide the wrist bracelet. Here is my answer. One of our largest customers is the Veterans Administration. Many of our VA clients served in the US Marine Corps in WWII and find it effeminate to wear a neck pendant. So for our beloved leathernecks, if you want it, you got it! Just don't blame me you can't press the button.
I strongly recommend the neck pendant. The chain we provide is hypo-allergenic, so the client can wear the pendant 24/7 without a skin reaction. It should be worn continuously and the pendant is waterproof so it can be worn in the shower or tub. The pendant employs the same ten year battery as our wrist bracelet, but should still be tested monthly. When the button is deployed, the button activates our special super-amplified speaker- phone which calls our monitoring center. Within 45 seconds one of our trained operators will speak with the client over the speaker-phone. If help is required, we dispatch assistance promptly.
Whatever button you chose, be sure to wear it, and test it monthly. More information about our systems can be found at www.pioneeremergency.com or calling (800) 274-8274
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Medical Alert Devices
When someone has a stroke they are in big trouble, and time is of the essence. Quick response, correct diagnosis, and new wonder drugs can dramatically affect the outcome for the patient.
Unfortunately, many stroke victims don't get the help they desperately need. Too many people suffer from the misconception that if they had a stroke they could simply call 911 and get help.
Unfortunately, when a stroke occurs the normal thinking patterns get scrambled just like eggs.
This is why speech gets garbled (aphasia). The brain knows what to say, but the words simply don't come of the mouth correctly. The same pattern seems to be true for dialing 911. Patients y want to dial 911, but the end up dialing 119, or 191 and they are unable to get help. If they are lucky enough to dial 911, and can't speak clearly to explain the problem, they will probably get a police car dispatch instead of an ambulance. Critical time is wasted. When the police arrive, they may have difficulty gaining entry to the house, and may not correctly assess that the patient has had a stroke. They may think the patient is inebriated. Hopefully, they will call the paramedics.
With a medical alert installed, the situation is dramatically improved. First, all the client has to do is press the button. No tricky dialing sequence, labored or futile attempts to communicate, just one press of the button. In 45 seconds medically trained operators are speaking to the client. The operators instantly have the clients complete medical history, allergies etc. on their computer dispatch screens. Critical information is be relayed to the paramedics enroute. Friends and relatives are notified. When the paramedics arrive on scene, they can be given a lockbox code to allow easy entry into the house, without breaking down a door or window. When seconds count, we don't waste time. Time is brain function
Stroke diagnosis is critical. The American Stroke Foundation has a simple 3 part test to identify stroke victims. (1) Smile. Can the patient smile symmetrically or does one side droop. (2) Raise both arms. Can they hold both hands up or is one arm weak. (3) Repeat a sentence. Ask the patient to repeat a simple sentence like "The sky is blue". Can they form the words properly? If the answer to any of these questions is NO call 911 immediately. Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death and disability. Other common symptoms may include :(a) numbness on the face, arms, legs (b) confusion trouble speaking or understanding (c) difficulty seeing from one or both eyes, (d) sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. (e) sudden severe headache. This is not meant to be medical advice, but if any of these signs are present call 911 immediately, and note the time of the onset of symptoms. The time may be important to hospital physicians.
If the patient has had a stroke, they may be a candidate for a clotbusting drug, which can diminish the effects of the stroke. This drug must be administered within 3 hours of the stroke.
So in other words, the patients needs discovered, transported to a hospital, evaluated, correctly diagnosed and treated in a very short time frame. Some cities have special stroke centers in the hospitals, but this is not universal.
Unfortunately, I've had up close and personal scary experience with strokes. One of my closest friends had a stroke at age 45 . It was very frustrating for him. He couldn't talk intelligibly, and it took him months to regain coherent speech. He also had to relearn simple tasks, like making change from a dollar. Fortunately he was taken to a major stroke center in San Diego. I've also experienced a TIA (transient ischemic attack) or mini-stroke and know first hand the confusion that resulted. Fortunately, I am on medications and have not had a repeat occurance.
My own experiences with TIA and open heart surgery give me the passion to help protect others. Further information about medical alerts can be found at www.pioneeremergency.com
Unfortunately, many stroke victims don't get the help they desperately need. Too many people suffer from the misconception that if they had a stroke they could simply call 911 and get help.
Unfortunately, when a stroke occurs the normal thinking patterns get scrambled just like eggs.
This is why speech gets garbled (aphasia). The brain knows what to say, but the words simply don't come of the mouth correctly. The same pattern seems to be true for dialing 911. Patients y want to dial 911, but the end up dialing 119, or 191 and they are unable to get help. If they are lucky enough to dial 911, and can't speak clearly to explain the problem, they will probably get a police car dispatch instead of an ambulance. Critical time is wasted. When the police arrive, they may have difficulty gaining entry to the house, and may not correctly assess that the patient has had a stroke. They may think the patient is inebriated. Hopefully, they will call the paramedics.
With a medical alert installed, the situation is dramatically improved. First, all the client has to do is press the button. No tricky dialing sequence, labored or futile attempts to communicate, just one press of the button. In 45 seconds medically trained operators are speaking to the client. The operators instantly have the clients complete medical history, allergies etc. on their computer dispatch screens. Critical information is be relayed to the paramedics enroute. Friends and relatives are notified. When the paramedics arrive on scene, they can be given a lockbox code to allow easy entry into the house, without breaking down a door or window. When seconds count, we don't waste time. Time is brain function
Stroke diagnosis is critical. The American Stroke Foundation has a simple 3 part test to identify stroke victims. (1) Smile. Can the patient smile symmetrically or does one side droop. (2) Raise both arms. Can they hold both hands up or is one arm weak. (3) Repeat a sentence. Ask the patient to repeat a simple sentence like "The sky is blue". Can they form the words properly? If the answer to any of these questions is NO call 911 immediately. Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death and disability. Other common symptoms may include :(a) numbness on the face, arms, legs (b) confusion trouble speaking or understanding (c) difficulty seeing from one or both eyes, (d) sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. (e) sudden severe headache. This is not meant to be medical advice, but if any of these signs are present call 911 immediately, and note the time of the onset of symptoms. The time may be important to hospital physicians.
If the patient has had a stroke, they may be a candidate for a clotbusting drug, which can diminish the effects of the stroke. This drug must be administered within 3 hours of the stroke.
So in other words, the patients needs discovered, transported to a hospital, evaluated, correctly diagnosed and treated in a very short time frame. Some cities have special stroke centers in the hospitals, but this is not universal.
Unfortunately, I've had up close and personal scary experience with strokes. One of my closest friends had a stroke at age 45 . It was very frustrating for him. He couldn't talk intelligibly, and it took him months to regain coherent speech. He also had to relearn simple tasks, like making change from a dollar. Fortunately he was taken to a major stroke center in San Diego. I've also experienced a TIA (transient ischemic attack) or mini-stroke and know first hand the confusion that resulted. Fortunately, I am on medications and have not had a repeat occurance.
My own experiences with TIA and open heart surgery give me the passion to help protect others. Further information about medical alerts can be found at www.pioneeremergency.com
Medical Alert + Stroke
When someone has a stroke they are in big trouble, and time is of the essence. Quick response, correct diagnosis, and new wonder drugs can dramatically affect the outcome for the patient.
Unfortunately, many stroke victims don't get the help they desperately need. Too many people suffer from the misconception that if they had a stroke they could simply call 911 and get help.
Unfortunately, when a stroke occurs the normal thinking patterns get scrambled just like eggs.
This is why speech gets garbled commonly called aphasia. The patient knows what they are trying to say, but simply can not control what comes out of their mouth. The same pattern seems to be true for dialing 911. They know they want to dial 911, but the end up dialing 119, or 191 and they are unable to contact help. If they are lucky enough to dial 911, and can't speak clearly to explain the problem, they will probably get a police car dispatched instead of an ambulance. Critical time is wasted. If you are concerned about stroke risk, get a medical alarm. For more information see www.pioneeremergency.com
Unfortunately, many stroke victims don't get the help they desperately need. Too many people suffer from the misconception that if they had a stroke they could simply call 911 and get help.
Unfortunately, when a stroke occurs the normal thinking patterns get scrambled just like eggs.
This is why speech gets garbled commonly called aphasia. The patient knows what they are trying to say, but simply can not control what comes out of their mouth. The same pattern seems to be true for dialing 911. They know they want to dial 911, but the end up dialing 119, or 191 and they are unable to contact help. If they are lucky enough to dial 911, and can't speak clearly to explain the problem, they will probably get a police car dispatched instead of an ambulance. Critical time is wasted. If you are concerned about stroke risk, get a medical alarm. For more information see www.pioneeremergency.com
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