University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Logo University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences: Center for Translational Neuroscience

Brown Lab

Aliza Brown, Ph.D.

BrownAlizaT@uams.edu

Arkansas is in the top 10% of the nation in deaths due to stroke, heart disease and trauma. Part of the reason is the prolonged time to receive care in the rural county areas. For example the time to receive effective treatment for stroke is 3-4.5 hours from the last known well time (LKWT). However, in Arkansas patients arriving in rural hospitals > 2 hours from the LKWT only have a 6% of recovery. Decreasing mortality in preventable deaths due to stroke, heart disease, and trauma in rural areas can be accomplished by a two-point approach. One is to improve the delivery of healthcare through education and training of emergency personnel, while the other is to direct improved emergency response by the patient. To accomplish the first approach, we created an educational/training mobile application (app) that is available at no cost, “WeTrain911”, for emergency dispatchers deficient in communication and medical training. The app development was funded through a NIH NIGMS Supplement grant.  In the “WeTrain911” app, emphasis is placed on better communication skills and some knowledge-based training on medical information. This training will provide improvement in communication and speed in information relay to EMS.

Next, we a completed second mobile app in September 2018, “iClick911”, for patient initiated medical emergency response. To ensure fast medical response to the cellular location we developed “iClick911”.  App activation occurs using one-touch technology initiated by the patient for medical emergencies for immediate 911 response. Unlike other apps or emergency programs currently available, “iClick911” is an electronic message that requires no voice and routes emergency response to the caller’s cellular location. This will keep valuable time from being wasted in information delivery to EMS. Our “iClick911” app was funded with a NIH COBRE IDeA pilot study.