St John partners with Samsung to enhance emergency services

St John and Samsung Electronics New Zealand have entered into a partnership arrangement, under which the two organisations will seek to collaborate on technology solutions to improve operations in ambulances and clinical contact centres.

“St John has an innovative strategy for integrating technology into their services,” says Kenny Yeon, Managing Director, Samsung New Zealand.

“Giving access to our market-leading technologies will help enable St John to bring these plans to fruition.

“As leaders in our respective fields, we can have a definite impact on emergency health for New Zealanders.”

Initially, Yeon says the partnership will centre on St John’s needs in the technology space, with Samsung’s hardware and solutions being implemented across the organisation.

Yeon says that one of the first projects will include the roll-out of Samsung tablets into ambulances, as part of a new electronic system designed to replace handwritten clinical notes.

Using the smart devices, ambulance officers can forward patient information electronically to an emergency department, specialist or GP - all while on the road.

Yeon says that Samsung technology will also be used in St John Clinical Control Centres in Auckland and Christchurch, with the introducing of 34” curved monitors, as the workstation environment for the 130 St John personnel answering 111 emergency calls and dispatching ambulance resources.

“Technology has a significant role to play in enhancing patient care and the working lives of our staff and volunteers,” says Peter Bradley, CEO, St John.

“Working with Samsung’s technology experts and having access to their new product solutions means a positive and strong partnership that will benefit New Zealand communities.”

St John ambulance officers treat and transport more than 425,000 patients a year across New Zealand.