Empowering EMS: The Growing Role of Rugged Laptops in Emergency Medical Response
To perform their duties efficiently and provide the best possible care to patients, EMS workers need mobile technology and rugged laptops that function reliably under any circumstances. According to data from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS), over 54 million EMS activations occurred across the country in 2023. Responding to this volume of incidents and delivering high-quality care requires Mission-critical equipment like rugged mobile computing.
Panasonic TOUGHBOOK® rugged mobile computing solutions provide emergency workers with the peace of mind they need to focus on saving lives. Whether operating in urban, suburban, or rural areas, TOUGHBOOK products offer the durability and connectivity that EMS responders require to deliver the highest levels of care.
The Importance of Rugged Devices for EMS Professionals
An in-depth look at the latest data from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) reveals the common scenarios EMS professionals most frequently encounter, highlighting why rugged laptops are essential for them to perform their duties effectively.
Nearly 80% of EMS deployments involving injured patients result from either falls or motor vehicle crashes. Over 60% of these incidents require transporting one or more patients from the scene. While urban areas account for most deployments, EMS workers must be prepared to respond in any environment:
- 87.5% of deployments occur in urban environments
- 5.9% in rural areas
- 5.3% in suburban areas
- 1.3% in wilderness areas
These statistics underscore the need for reliable, rugged technology that can support EMS responders in diverse and demanding conditions.
This variability underscores why EMS professionals require equipment that functions reliably in all environments. From bustling, chaotic city streets to arid, scorching deserts, EMS workers need technology they can depend on. Rugged mobile solutions enable them to quickly assess patients and disseminate critical information where it’s needed most. EMS professionals themselves recognize this necessity:
- 80% of EMS professionals frequently use electronic patient care reports (ePCRs).
- 50% desire technology that automatically transmits patient data, such as vital signs, to hospitals.
Faced with challenging situations where every moment counts, rugged laptops and mobile medical technologies can ease the demands on EMS workers, helping them provide better care and save lives.
The TOUGHBOOK Rugged Laptop Advantage
Given the varied environments and scenarios that EMS workers face, they require high-performance, rugged devices. TOUGHBOOK® devices are engineered to meet the specific needs of EMS professionals, keeping them connected, informed, and prepared to administer the best possible patient care.
Rugged Durability
When every second counts and lives are at stake, technology must perform flawlessly. TOUGHBOOK devices provide the rugged durability and unwavering reliability that EMS workers depend on:
- Rigorous testing. TOUGHBOOK devices are tested to military standards such as MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461G, making them an ideal solution for even the harshest operating conditions, including rain, dust, dirt, extreme temperatures, and more. TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops and 2-in-1 computers also withstand rough handling such as drops, shocks, and vibration.
- Superior cooling. Powerful industrial fans provide superior airflow and cooling in TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops, producing up to two times the airflow of competitors for better performance.
- Durable materials. TOUGHBOOK chassis are made of magnesium alloy. These premium materials create exceptionally strong devices, but also help reduce the laptop’s overall weight, making it more portable to and from patient homes or incident sites..
With these advantages, The TOUGHBOOK failure rate is only 2.4% — a significant improvement over the 7% industry average.
Reliable Connectivity
To respond to emergencies effectively, EMS professionals must be able to communicate and stay connected with hospitals and other emergency response teams. However, connectivity can be a significant challenge in rural areas or during situations where normal cell service is disrupted. Panasonic TOUGHBOOK® devices overcome these challenges by providing superior speed and signal quality. Here’s how our wireless engineers ensure reliable connectivity:
- Testing devices in one of the world’s largest anechoic chambers to optimize signal performance and quality.
- Equipping TOUGHBOOK devices with 5G and 4G LTE Advanced multi-carrier broadband, as well as Bluetooth® and wireless capabilities.
- Incorporating high-performance antenna modules to facilitate smooth, secure transitions between cell sites and Wi-Fi access points, allowing devices to maintain connectivity even while in motion.
- Providing access to priority and preemption priority services such as AT&T FirstNet and Verizon Frontline solutions, ensuring EMS workers have network access when it matters most.
In critical moments where communication is paramount, TOUGHBOOK’s reliable connectivity empowers EMS professionals to perform their duties without interruption, ultimately helping them save lives.
These advanced connectivity features ensure real-time patient data is accessible to EMS workers and hospitals during emergencies and while in transit. TOUGHBOOK devices incorporate robust security measures that protect sensitive information in compliance with HIPAA regulations. By enabling secure, encrypted communication, they allow EMS professionals to share vital patient data quickly and safely, maintaining patient privacy. This seamless exchange maximizes the effectiveness of mobile healthcare technology, resulting in the best possible outcomes for patients while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality.
Custom Software Installation
EMS professionals face a unique and ever-changing set of challenges on the job. These challenges can shift rapidly depending on geographic location or the specifics of an emergency. Recognizing that mobile medical technology must be as adaptable as the professionals who use it. Panasonic Professional Services teams collaborate closely with individual departments to customize TOUGHBOOK devices with the specific software they need. This includes ePCR systems, secure communication platforms, and medical reference tools. This tailored approach ensures that new devices are mission-ready from day one, empowering EMS workers to perform at their best in any scenario.
Extended Battery Life
In medical emergencies, every second is critical, and EMS professionals cannot afford delays due to battery limitations. TOUGHBOOK devices come equipped with long-lasting batteries and offer optional second batteries or hot-swapping capabilities. This allows for uninterrupted device usage during long shifts, seamless sharing across multiple shifts, and reliable performance in environments where charging isn’t possible. By providing extended battery life, Smart Essentials software ensures that your EMS workers have the dependable platform they need to focus on what matters most: saving lives.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Effective technology partners know that for devices to continue functioning at their best, they require ongoing support and maintenance. Panasonic’s ProServices experts provide that support throughout the lifetime of all devices. ProServices experts can efficiently and effectively deal with issues such as:
- Ongoing device maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Fast component or device replacements
When it comes to mobile technology in healthcare, EMS workers need rugged laptops and devices they can rely on. Part of that reliability comes from knowing they have a technology partner they can trust.
TOUGHBOOK Rugged Laptops Provide EMS Professionals Mobile Technology That Works
When lives are at stake, EMS professionals need to trust that their technology will perform flawlessly. TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops are engineered to meet this critical need, providing the consistency and reliability that enable EMS workers to focus entirely on patient care. With TOUGHBOOK devices, emergency responders can operate with confidence, secure in the knowledge that their technology will work whenever they need it. Every time.
Learn more about TOUGHBOOK solutions for EMS.
