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Durabook Is Empowering Crews Like You on the Ambulance

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It’s no secret that ambulance crews rely heavily on technology to support their daily work lives. More and more, they are turning towards rugged, stronger devices in order to withstand the often harsh environments which they operate in.

Durabook has been manufacturing mobile rugged devices which deliver the functionality needed to improve patient care for over 30 years. Its military-grade technology has been highly praised by users, as the deep functionality and high performance make operational use effortlessly fluid and simple all at once, a key benefit for ambulance crews.

With that in mind, the company has released the new and exciting U11I tablet, specifically designed for use in the harsh and unforgiving environments which ambulance and other emergency service crews often encounter. 

The U11I helps ambulance crews access electronic patient records, transfer patient-specific information to the hospital before arrival, and make critical decisions, all at lightning speed.

It’s also unique in that it is the only rugged tablet available today which allows you to add a second smart card and RFID reader alongside the one which is already embedded within the device itself, making it incredibly multifunctional.

These unique adaptations allow for secure user authentication and the safe collection and transfer of sensitive data; both absolutely essential features for quickly accessing historical patient information, recording diagnoses, and securely sending data to the hospital or other health organisations before arrival so care and treatment can continue without delay.

The benefits of using rugged devices, as opposed to more old-fashioned methods, cannot be underestimated.

One major bugbear of the past has been as simple a matter as illegible handwriting, which can cause great confusion following handovers—now thankfully a thing of the past, where it belongs.

And that’s also not to mention the seamless transference of records which can now be easily accessed through such technology and then safely secured and protected.

Another simple, yet amazingly useful, pro which the use of rugged tablets had introduced into the field is the ability to take photos of the patient’s injuries and the surrounding scene.

Context is, after all, not to be underestimated and who can deny the benefits of being able to visually picture the extent of the wounds to a trauma victim, for instance, ahead of their arrival? It definitely helps for preparation and handover at the hospital, that’s for sure.

Durabook also provides a cleaning guide with the U11I for simple, fast decontamination of the device following use on a call, saving both time and effort in ensuring that the device is properly cleaned and sanitised.

It will, after all, come into contact with vinyl gloves, blood, mud, and all manner of the harmful bacteria, germs and viruses that you can commonly expect to encounter on a call.

Looking beyond the sleek and professional design and examining the insides of the U11I, you’re left quite impressed with its overall power and capability. For starter’s, it’s the very first rugged tablet on the market to feature Intel’s 10th generation Intel® Core™ processor, improving performance by up to 260% on the previous model.

We all know how furiously frustrating an unresponsive, slow piece of kit can be, especially when you’re in a rush, and the ramped-up processing power means speedier, seamless action during use on those fast-paced, seemingly never-ending shifts. It’s the lifesaver’s lifesaver.

Furthermore, the amazingly lightweight device really proves its rugged nature, withstanding low and high temperatures in either extreme, shocks, vibrations, and surviving what would otherwise be devastating drops of up to six feet completely intact.

That cuts down massively on the usual cost of repair and replacement for things like cracked screens and delicate devices that have broken altogether.

The built-in battery easily lasts an entire shift with a life of up to 13.5 hours, or  up to 24 hours with a hi-cap option; so you can be sure it’s not going to cut out or die on you halfway through a patient report or when sending information.

Meanwhile, a hot-swappable battery allows an uninterrupted five minutes of power between swaps for zero downtime.

The 11.6” Full High Definition display also comes with four touch modes — finger touch, glove, rain/water, and stylus; this allows it to operate perfectly in the rain, remaining completely responsive no matter what the weather or what you’re wearing on your hands.

In the other extreme, Durabook’s DynaVue® sunlight readable technology eliminates reflection and delivers clarity when crews operate in bright outdoor environments, even in direct sunlight. They really have thought of everything here.

CEO of Durabook’s parent company Twinhead, Fred Kao said: “At Durabook, we design devices in line with the demanding and evolving needs of customers who rely on rugged technology to streamline workflows and improve productivity.’

“The new U11I tablet delivers secure and fast data processing, and extensive customisation capabilities that ensure devices can support the every need of ambulance, emergency services and public safety organisations.”

As with all Durabook rugged devices, the U11I can be customised easily to meet different requirements in different work environments, meaning it can fully adapt to your needs as your environments change over time.

Such customisations include integration with pre-existing systems or supporting proprietary software, and the device is also amply future-proofed to support upcoming technologies as they arise.

All-in-all, we’d give this product a 10/10 based on the specs and its overall features, but we’d love to hear what you think too.

Visit www.durabook.com, or contact [email protected] to find out how Durabook can support your ambulance service.

In the back of an ambulance, two paramedics tend to a patient who has recently experienced a miscarriage

The Miscarriage Association Launches New E-learning Resource for Medical Professionals

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View the Free E-Learning Course Here: Bit.ly/2Gtniu9

Published in Ambulance Today, Issue 3, Volume 13, Ahead of the Curve, Education and Technology Special, Autumn 2019

Dealing with the trauma of a miscarriage is something one can only imagine without having experienced it themselves. Non-profit charity, the Miscarriage Association, explains how they are currently supporting medical professionals in providing care and understanding to women going through that very trauma, through the use of a fantastic new, completely free to use, e-learning resource.

Founded in 1982, the Miscarriage Association is a UK-wide charity that offers support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy.

Along with a staffed helpline, the Miscarriage Association have developed a new e-learning resource to support medical professionals in providing the best possible care to women experiencing pregnancy loss.

The resource is based on the real experiences of health professionals and those who have experienced miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy, and also includes a cache of films and interactive activities.

“Not being able to answer their questions is very difficult and makes me feel like I’m inadequate in my job, when in fact I’ve just not had adequate training.”

Taking only around two hours to complete, the new resource is an excellent tool for continuing professional development and learning towards revalidation.

Ruth Bender Atik, National Director at the Miscarriage Association, said: “Pregnancy loss can be a deeply distressing experience and the support health professionals give can make all the difference to helping women through this difficult time.

“We know it isn’t always easy for those working in clinical environments to find the time to reflect on the care they provide. This is why we wanted to create a resource that they can dip in and out of and access easily from their phone, iPad or computer, so the training is available to them anytime.”

The five units focus upon different aspects of care, such as having difficult conversations, considering language, and taking care of your own wellbeing while providing that care.

“I was on my own at home. I couldn’t walk, I was on the floor so I had to call an ambulance. The paramedics were wonderful. They called my husband, asked if there was anyone else I needed contacting. They locked my house. They made sure that just the basic little things that really mattered were done and dealt with. And they gave me some gas and air, which I needed.”

Having experienced two miscarriages herself, Cerian Gingell is passionate about improving the care that is provided to those who experience pregnancy loss.

Cerian, said: “Miscarriage is a devastating loss, often without explanation. Nothing can take the
pain away, but a kind word, the correct information on what to expect next, the truth about what’s happening – these things can all help make a horrible experience slightly less horrible.

“To me, good care is saying ‘I’m sorry your baby’s gone, it wasn’t your fault’. It’s letting me cry, answering my questions with honesty and sensitivity, reassuring me that because it’s happened once it doesn’t mean it’ll happen again. It’s about respect, sympathy and honesty.

“I think this resource is so important and will help create more consistent care across the country. Every single person that goes through pregnancy loss deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion. Whether they’re speaking to their GP or being treated in hospital, every contact can have a huge impact on the way that person copes with their loss.”

The new e-learning resource was peer reviewed and produced with the help of Janet Birrell, Gynaecology Matron at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Nicola Davies, GP at The Pinn Medical Centre, Annmaria Ellard, Miscarriage Specialist Nurse at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, Amanda Mansfield, Consultant Midwife at London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and the Association of Early Pregnancy Units.

Dr. Sarah Bailey, Lead Nurse Recurrent Miscarriage Care and Clinical Research Specialist at University Hospitals Southampton, said: “The Miscarriage Association’s e-learning resource is extremely useful, informative and easily accessible.

“I would thoroughly recommend this excellent training package to any care professional who is involved in caring for women with miscarriage.”

The Miscarriage Association’s staffed helpline and online resources help thousands of people every year to get through the emotional and physical distress of pregnancy loss and, in many cases, to manage the anxiety of pregnancy after loss. They work with health professionals to promote good practice in medical care, support clinical research and strive to raise public awareness of the facts and feelings of pregnancy loss.

You can visit www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk or call the Miscarriage Association on +44 1924 200 795 to find out more. For more details and interview opportunities please contact Ruth Bender Atik, National Director at the Miscarriage Association: [email protected]

You can access the e-learning resource at: Bit.ly/2Gtniu9