Page 43 - Waterfall City Dec 2024_Jan 2025

take over, which can improve outcomes
exponentially.”

The Netcare 911 live video link
telehealth service is provided
through the secure Netcare
VirtualCare platform, with all data
encrypted to protect the caller,
ensure patient privacy, and protect
confidential information. Using
the platform does not require
downloading an app and is very user-
friendly yet secure.

“In emergency medical situations,
applying technology in this innovative
way can help save many more lives and
inspire more South Africans with the
emergency operations centre (EOC) is “In this way, the caller can replicate the knowledge to lend a hand with ‘hands
putting life-saving skills into the hands CPR actions, with the necessary depth only’ CPR if needed,” Ramduth says.
of the public with this new, innovative and rate of chest compressions to keep
application of telehealth video call the patient’s blood circulating to their A lifesaving commitment
technology,” adds Ramduth. vital organs until professional help beyond summer
arrives on the scene,” she says. While summer months see a spike in
When a caller reports an emergency drowning incidents due to increased
requiring CPR to Netcare 911’s EOC on The video link also makes it possible water activities, it is crucial to remain
082 911, the coordinator immediately for the EOC coordinators and vigilant year-round. Water safety should
initiates the video calling process healthcare practitioners to do a more always be a priority, regardless of the
by sending the caller a link via SMS detailed immediate assessment of season. By adhering to these safety tips
to a live, secure video platform. The the patient remotely, which can and utilising the resources provided
caller clicks on the link to connect be significant for clinical decision- by Netcare 911, you can significantly
with the Netcare 911 emergency care making and help in the coordination reduce the risk of drowning and be
providers, enabling them to see and of resources to evacuate the patient prepared to respond effectively in any
hear each other. using the most effective transport emergency.
modality available.
“A second qualified health provider, “A few simple precautions can make
a registered nurse or paramedic, Building confidence to save for a less stressful experience around
then demonstrates the relevant lives water, and Netcare 911 is here to assist
CPR technique for an adult, child or “Through this easy-to-use service, you in any medical emergency, no
an infant on an appropriately sized we hope more South Africans will matter the time of year,” Meiring says.
mannequin representing the patient gain the confidence to get involved
at our designated and specially and assist a person in need of life-
equipped telehealth CPR station at saving resuscitation. It is less daunting
our EOC. All the while, a case manager to attempt CPR if you can copy a
coaches the caller to copy their professional’s actions, and all the time,
actions to perform CPR correctly on the caller is being encouraged and
the patient at the scene. coached through every step to help
ensure they are doing it correctly, even
“Thanks to the visual element of if the caller has had no prior training,”
the two-way video link, the caller Ramduth adds.
can more accurately follow the CPR
technique required, while our ‘CPR “This can buy precious time to save the
coach’ provides informed and detailed heart and brain by keeping the blood
feedback to the caller to guide their supply moving around the patient’s
CPR efforts. body until paramedics are on scene to Get the Netcare App now!

Waterfall City Issue 12 2024/Issue 1 2025 41