Hospitals will get heart data via Bluetooth

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Florida Today is reporting that Brevard County Fire-Rescue has received a substantial grant from the Florida Department of Health for ECG transmission.

Brevard County Fire-Rescue is implementing Bluetooth technology to transmit electrocardiogram readings from cardiac patients in the field to hospitals so doctors are better prepared to treat them.

In about three or four months, more than 93 units, including 40 fire-rescue ambulances, will be equipped with the new technology for rapid transmission of EKG readings. Melbourne and Palm Bay are among seven other fire departments that will benefit from the technology.

It will cost about $155,000 to equip ambulances for the new technology, and the entire cost is funded by a Florida Department of Health grant, including server and modem costs for the next five years. Hospitals will set up receiving centers to receive the EKG readings.