2021 EMS World Innovation Award Winners

What new technologies would help you perform your job more effectively? EMS World is proud to announce the recipients of the 2021 EMS World Innovation Awards. This award program recognizes the industry’s most pioneering products of the year that were on full display at EMS World Expo, held October 4–8 in Atlanta.

An independent panel of judges consisting of EMS World editorial advisory board members and EMS World Expo faculty met one-on-one with company representatives to evaluate each entry, learn about its application, and determine whether it was worthy of this esteemed honor. Entries must be new or have undergone significant design changes since August 2020.

Presented in alphabetical order, these are the products and services our judging panel deemed the most innovative developments in EMS this year. EMS World thanks our judging panel for their service: Mark Levine, MD, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and associate medical director, St. Louis (Mo.) Fire Dept.; Tracey Loscar, chief of operations, Mat-Su Borough EMS, Wasilla, Alaska; and Richard Patrick, director, National Fire Programs, U.S. Fire Administration, Silver Spring, Md.

For more information about these award-winning products, visit the EMS World Online Product Directory at www.emsworld.com/directory. And mark your calendars for EMS World Expo 2022, October 10–14 in Orlando, Fla. 

AerosoLess: SafetyNeb
www.aerosolessmedical.com
A nebulizer mask that allows healthcare workers to safely deliver a nebulized treatment. The unique design of the SafetyNeb has a viral exhale filter and faceplate that creates a CPAP-like seal (at a fraction of the cost of CPAP), thereby keeping patient pathogens where they should be: with the patient. At the same time it protects healthcare workers, allowing them to give the necessary medications even in the confined space of an ambulance.
Judges' Feedback: "Easy to use, high-quality construction. Top scores across the board."

Braun Ambulances: IMPACT Airbag System
www.braunambulances.com
Braun Ambulances is proud to build on its  legacy of safety by introducing the new IMPACT Airbag System with Rolltek technology. Short for Interior Module Protection and Collision Technology, the IMPACT Airbag System is an option focused on enhancing occupant protection in every seating position. Strategically placed airbags deploy in the event of a side impact-induced rollover collision. Airbags are located by the captain’s chair, CPR seat, and squad bench for protection. 
Judges' Feedback: "Provider safety is critical these days. This system should be in every ambulance."

Digitech: Symptom Map
www.digitechcomputer.com
Digitech’s Symptom Map tracks related symptoms by primary impression, reported exposure level, and exact condition code. Map users can drill into each claim associated with COVID-19 and see all account details of the claim, including the complete patient care report. The system has the ability to report on the financial impacts and quantities of supplies depleted by an agency’s responses to COVID-19.
Judges' Feedback: "An original and useful way to track health concerns and environmental dangers in a given jurisdiction or patient populations."

First Line Technology: AmbuBus Quick Response Transport
www.firstlinetech.com
The AmbuBus Conversion Kit conveniently transports up to six individuals within any standard-size cargo van. The powder-coated steel frame is easily installed in minutes to permanently convert a cargo van into a multipatient transport solution. Due to its customizations and flexibility, during the pandemic the QRT was used as a mobile vaccination vehicle, serving those unable to physically go to local vaccine sites.
Judges' Feedback: "An excellent system. Truly innovative for mass-casualty and trauma response."

Gaumard Scientific: Ultrasound and Pediatric Emergency POCUS/eFAST Scenario Courseware
www.gaumard.com
Gaumard recently launched Gaumard Ultrasound for Pediatric HAL S2225, a high-fidelity, portable ultrasound simulator specifically designed to immerse learners in realistic scenario-based exercises. Transducer range of motion is natural, and imaging is true to life. Together with Pediatric HAL S2225, the new Pediatric Emergency POCUS/eFAST module provides educators with the scenario content to simplify curriculum integration and optimize training opportunities.
Judges' Feedback: "Works for all levels of learners. Very realistic simulation."

Health Scholars: Pediatric Resuscitation VR Simulations
www.healthscholars.com
Health Scholars Pediatric Resuscitation VR simulations, made in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, include Pediatric Emergency Assessment and Pediatric Emergency Care. Pediatric Emergency Assessment enables learners to recognize and diagnose disease states of a diverse group of infants, all in virtual reality, utilizing the Pediatric Assessment Triangle. In Pediatric Emergency Care learners take the role of team lead in four different virtual reality resuscitation scenarios.
Judges' Feedback: "Truly immersive. You really feel like you're on scene for a pediatric call."

I.M. Lab Inc.: CPR Add-On Kit Remote
www.cpraddonkit.com
CPR Add-On Kit Remote is a distance CPR training solution enabling quality training through video call and real-time feedback features. The kit empowers instructors to run classes without setting up complex remote training sessions. CPR Add-On Kit Remote is compatible with CPR Add-On Kit Pro, a customized upgrade kit to be installed on existing dummy manikins to upgrade them into smart feedback manikins, and cprCUBE PRO, a new generation of hands-only CPR training device, highly portable and simple for basic CPR training for beginners.
Judges' Feedback: "A simple-to-use system to teach CPR skills from anywhere."

ImageTrend: Collaborate
www.imagetrend.com
ImageTrend Collaborate is a new approach to prehospital data and research. Image-Trend Collaborate links prehospital incidents with multiple data sets, including EMS (NEMSIS), fire (NFIRS), 9-1-1 or CAD incidents, patient registries (trauma, stroke, and STEMI), and licensing/credentialing data. ImageTrend Collaborate is an opt-in program with over 30 million records and growing.
Judges' Feedback: "It gives the ability for agencies to run reports and then compare their data to the national level. It’s created templates for ease of agency use. It creates a large pool of accessible data that can be used as a jumping-off point."

ImageTrend: Elite Telehealth
www.imagetrend.com
ImageTrend Telehealth is fully integrated into ImageTrend Elite and is ET3-ready, so there is no disruption to your workflow. Take advantage of Elite’s preset values and visibility rules to automatically display a button to start a telehealth call. It’s as simple as a tap within the ePCR for a straightforward and secure experience.
Judges' Feedback: "Makes it possible to trigger a secure bidirectional telehealth call from inside the ePCR. For any agency looking to incorporate telehealth into their delivery model, this appears to be an efficient and streamlined way to do that and improve the overall quality of this component of service."

iSimulate: REALITi SimScope
www.isimulate.com
The REALITi SimScope is a fully integrated simulation stethoscope that ties sounds and rate to the REALITi 360 simulation system. This makes scenarios hyper-realistic and true to the physiologic values of the simulated patient. If the respiratory rate is 30 with a “shark fin” waveform, the REALITi SimScope plays a “wheeze” at 30 bpm. If the heart rate is 120 bpm, the heart tones augment to 120 at the selected sound, like an S1 gallop.
Judges' Feedback: "iSimulate is a market leader in highly realistic EMS training. This is their latest addition to their top-notch REALITi system."

Laerdal Medical: TeamReporter App
www.laerdal.com
TeamReporter is a video-based app specifically designed for high-performance CPR team training. By providing real-time CPR feedback (CCF, rate, recoil, depth, ventilation volume, shocks delivered, and more) and tips for improvement, as well as video-based debriefing, TeamReporter enables you to build, train, and retrain high-performance CPR teams. Works with Laerdal's adult Resusci line as well as their pediatric and infant lines.
Judges' Feedback: "Gives digital feedback with an upload.  Great to watch playback with real-time feedback. Fun to play with and watch. Allows users to measure performance with meaningful feedback."

Nasco Healthcare: TERI Geriatric Patient Care Simulator
www.nascohealthcare.com
A comprehensive male/female elderly patient care trainer for medical simulation. Evolving from our GERi/KERi full-body manikins, the TERi has a very realistic look and feel that accurately represent human anatomy. Weight is distributed to represent a real patient for lifting and carrying. Available in light or medium skin tones and configurable to fit unique training needs and budgets. Suitable for long-term facilities and emergency room training. 
Judges' Feedback: "The only fully realistic geriatric manikin I've seen. With simulation, users need to believe what they are looking at—otherwise they always have to play 'make believe.' I actually felt like I was dealing with an elderly patient."

Quadmed: McMurray Enhanced Airway
www.quadmed.com
The McMurray Enhanced Airway (MEA) features several innovations that simplify airway management for emergency medical responders: a longer, slimmer flexible tube with a cushioned, built-in bite block, plus a larger flange. This design allows the MEA to quickly open obstructed airways without the need for rotation, routine lubrication, or the use of tongue depressors. The design reduces or eliminates the need for a chin lift or jaw thrust maneuver by assisting in the displacement of redundant pharyngeal tissue. An Ambu bag can be attached using the optional connector.
Judges' Feedback: "An innovative redesign of the traditional oral airway."

SafER Medical Products LLC: Shield Pathogen Containment System
safermedicalproducts.com
The Shield PCS creates a negative-pressure environment in any location. It is composed of a two-part system and is effective for nebulizer therapy, bilevel positive airway pressure/CPAP, intubation, and bag-valve mask use.
Judges' Feedback: "The facemask system was easy to assemble and runs concurrently with whatever type of AGP being used. It increases the amount of nebulized medication available and decreases the viral load in the vicinity. The system is ruggedized and not terribly loud. It has a 75-minute battery life, supplemented by a DC power cord. Its portability and the ability to safely continue AGPs in an enclosed space such as an ambulance make it an excellent product."

Scripps Safe Inc.: Scripps System
www.4saferx.com
Scripps Safe has developed the Scripps System, an end-to-end SaaS pharmaceutical inventory and access management system with smart analytics. One integrated platform solution for narcotics/pharmaceutical transport, security, surveillance, access, inventory management, and analytics. A key component is that the data is held separately and aside from electronic health records, firewalled and encrypted. Monthly subscription cloud-based service; connects to inventory management system. Will run on Verizon, T-Mobile, and/or AT&T LTE 4G/5G+ Wi-Fi networks for uninterrupted operability for first response reliability.
Judges' Feedback: "Very secure system for storing and tracking an agency's narcotics."

Siemens Healthineers: ePOC Blood Analysis System
siemens-healthineers.com
The epoc Blood Analysis System provides critical metabolic, electrolyte, and blood gas test results at the scene. With a single room temperature-stable test card, the epoc system offers a comprehensive menu and delivers results in under a minute.
Judges' Feedback: "It comes with clear instructions and animations; even a new user could get through a test process without difficulty. It automatically calibrates before accepting a sample. It only requires approximately 90 microliters of blood, and you have 7.5 minutes from the time the machine calibrates to insert the sample. It takes about 40 seconds to collect the results, which are displayed in a color-coded matrix that makes derangements visually obvious."

Soundoff Signal: mPOWER 7x3
www.soundoffsignal.com
A new approach to environmentally robust signal lighting options that could offer complex optics to improve lighting output. Combines traditional warning lights into a single, optical-grade, ruggedized and weatherproof silicone component. Clear Duty technology enables unique, industry-leading lighting concepts without the limitations of plastic lens-based designs. 
Judges' Feedback: "The price difference is minimal, and their resistance to impact would result in cost  savings by not having to replace them as frequently. The lights are programmable, which improves the safety profile of the vehicle. It is an innovative improvement to a safety feature that is sometimes taken for granted."

Tacmed Solutions: OLAES Hemostatic Bandage
www.tacmedsolutions.com
Combines the globally recognized OLAES Modular Bandage with battle-tested HemCon ChitoGauze PRO for multiple injury profiles. Its flat-packed version easily fits into most standard IFAKs.
Judges' Feedback: "It is a versatile tool when addressing external hemorrhage. A single bandage can be applied in multiple ways, from external bleeding control to targeted wound packing to applying included plastic sheeting as an occlusive dressing. The packaging is clearly designed to reduce brain friction in times of stress. Instead of carrying two items (bandage and agent), there is only one, reducing space. Overall, this is a very good product, and the quality is excellent."

Technimount EMS: Neonatal Stretcher System
www.technimount.com
Secures monitors, pumps, oxygen blenders, resuscitators, and suction units in specialized mounting solutions, enabling neonatal critical care transport teams to configure their stretchers according to their protocols using existing equipment. Makes patient care more efficient and responsive. The Neonatal Stretcher System allows neonatal critical care units greater autonomy, increasing the safety of staff in transport and management of medical devices, while improving response times.
Judges' Feedback: "A secure system that provides access to medical device monitors and controls during transport."

ZOLL Medical Corp.: X Series Advanced
www.zoll.com
Manage your patients more effectively than ever with ZOLL’s new X Series Advanced monitor/defibrillator. X Series Advanced offers Real BVM Help for real-time clinical feedback on manual ventilation, TBI Dashboard to manage patients with TBI, and RescueNet Live, which allows clinicians to remotely view real-time data from the X Series Advanced monitor/defibrillator screen via a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
Judges' Feedback: "Excellent quality. Loads of options and features in a compact, lightweight design. Terrific product."

For more information about these award-winning products, visit the EMS World Online Product Directory at  www.emsworld.com/directory. 

Mark your calendars for EMS World Expo 2022, October 10–14, Orlando, Fla.