Holmes Regional, Palm Bay PD Win Telemedicine Award

By  //  May 26, 2013

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center and the Palm Bay Police Department received the prestigious 2013 Award for Innovation in Local Government from the Alliance for Innovation.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Alliance for Innovation Board of Directors Chairman William Horne, Palm Bay Police Department Captain John Resh and Health First Medical Group Dr. Peter Pappas. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
LEFT TO RIGHT: Alliance for Innovation Board of Directors Chairman William Horne, Palm Bay Police Department Captain John Resh and Health First Medical Group’s Dr. Peter Pappas. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

The Trauma Center at Holmes Regional and the Palm Bay Police Department were recognized for their development of the TACTEL Tactical Telemedicine Program. TACTEL provides police medics in high-risk situations with a direct video link to the Trauma Center at Holmes Regional, the Space Coast’s only Trauma Center.

“When someone is severely injured, actions taken and decisions made within that first hour are crucial to obtaining the best possible outcome for a patient,” said Health First Trauma Surgeon and co-creator of the program Dr. Peter Pappas.

“This technology is a way for us to squeeze every second out of that critical golden hour.”

LIFE-SAVING CARE

Program leaders say bringing life-saving care closer to the initial time of injury during tactical events is the key. Following the tragic death of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Barbara Pill last year, they wanted to do something to provide training to tactical operators who are already in harm’s way.

Deputy Barbara Pill lost her life in the line duty on March 6, 2012. (Brevard County Sheriff's Office image)
Deputy Barbara Pill lost her life in the line duty on March 6, 2012. (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office image)

Through this program, SWAT medics from local law enforcement agencies, along with Health First instructors, attended the Health First sponsored Tactical Casualty Care Course (TCCC).

“With several of us gaining instructor status we are now prepared and able to offer this program to Tactical Medical personnel on an ongoing basis knowing that lives will be saved,” said Health First Training Center Supervisor David Schmitt, EMT-Paramedic.

 David Schmitt
David Schmitt

“Without life-saving care in the field, many victims would never survive to benefit from the advanced care services of the Trauma Center at Holmes Regional Medical Center or any hospital.”

The City of Palm Bay and Health First were chosen from more than 70 applications from municipalities and their community partners across the United States and Canada.

The award was presented during the Transforming Local Government Conference 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The project was developed after discussions between Health First and the Palm Bay Police Department. TACTEL has gained national recognition for its potential applications as a tool to enhance officer safety and assist in disaster management. TACTEL continues in the long tradition of leadership in telemedicine at Health First.

Health First Vital Watch is one of America’s first tele-ICUs and the Trauma Center at Holmes Regional is a leader in Florida’s Trauma Telemedicine Network.
Health First Vital Watch is one of America’s first tele-ICUs and the Trauma Center at Holmes Regional is a leader in Florida’s Trauma Telemedicine Network.

Health First Vital Watch is one of America’s first tele-ICUs and the Trauma Center at Holmes Regional is a leader in Florida’s Trauma Telemedicine Network.

FULLY INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEM

Founded in 1995, Health First is Central Florida’s only fully integrated health system and employs more than 7,500 people and has four hospitals (including Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Hospital, Cape Canaveral Hospital and Viera Hospital).

health first logoHealth First Health Plans also offers a wide variety of health insurance plan options for Brevard and Indian River Counties. In addition, Health First is home to Brevard County’s only Trauma Center. Health First Medical Group is the largest multi-specialty physician group on the Space Coast. Health First offers numerous outpatient and wellness services, including four Pro-Health and Fitness Centers.

FOR INFORMATION LOG ON TO Health-First.org