Microbus vehicle computers are chosen for Danish ambulance IT initiative

Dato

16. december 2010

Kategori

Nyheder

Ambulance trusts across Denmark are working together on a joint purchase of new Microbus touchscreen vehicle computers and dedicated software for 450 ambulances as part of a new IT initiative within the sector.

Recently four out of five Danish ambulance regions signed a contract with suppliers Sveriges Radio Supply AB and SimaTech Aps which have between them specified 450 Microbus M-PC2 vehicle computers with associated software.
The purchase will provide a much needed boost to the ambulance service's computer systems and make it possible to despatch ambulances faster and more safely to incidents across Denmark.

The Chairman of the Danish Regions Health Committee, Ms. Ulla Astman commented: “It is becoming increasingly important to centralize hospital services and move patients quickly and safely when dealing with acute illness and accidents.”

“A prerequisite for this is that the regions have the right tools for communication and resourcing. With the joint purchase of Microbus vehicle computers we will now be able to create the IT-related basis for an effective, coherent pre-hospital effort across regions," she added.

The purchase includes Microbus M-PC2 vehicle computers with fixed-mount touchscreen displays installed on the dashboard of each ambulance. The high capability PCs are powered by Intel processors, and designed to survive the harsh vehicle environment, such as shock, vibration, temperature and voltages. They offer high brightness colour TFT touchscreens for ease of use or with keyboard functionality.

As well as offering a full desktop PC capability, they provide greater connectivity for peripherals within the vehicle including GPS. The associated software from SimaTech functions as both navigation software and gives the ambulance crew control of the tasks they are sent to.

The computers are Windows-based and support a dedicated client application which communicates with a server installed in each ambulance control room. Both client and server application was part of the offering.

This new system provides more information exchange than was available previously between the ambulance control center and the hospital. The multi-bearer system communicates via the digital emergency radio network, SINE, and other mobile broadband networks. Microbus’ Value Added Partner in Denmark, Radiocom Danmark A/S, will participate as subcontractors to Sveriges Radio Supply. Equipment is planned to be installed in ambulances of South Denmark, Central Jutland and the North Jutland Region by May 2011.