Case Study: Saint Mary's Regional Health System achieves 19% reduction in STEMI Door-to-Device time with Pulsara

Arkansas Healthcare System Uses New Communication Approach to Improve STEMI Patient Outcomes

Saint Mary's Regional Health System, a 170‑bed Level III Trauma Center in Russellville, Arkansas, sought to improve end-to-end STEMI care by removing inconsistencies in the communication chain and enabling transmission of 12‑lead ECGs before patient handoff. To meet this need, Pope County EMS and the hospital adopted Pulsara, a HIPAA‑compliant mobile communication platform that connects EMS, ED, and cardiology teams and supports field transmission of ECG data.

By June 2019, Saint Mary's and Pope County EMS had integrated Pulsara into STEMI activation workflows, enabling real‑time team coordination and faster prep for incoming patients. After implementation, average Door‑to‑Device time dropped from 78 minutes (Jan–May 2019, 11 patients) to 63 minutes (Jun–Sep 2019, 27 patients)—a 19% decrease—and teams reported improved coordination; Saint Mary's is now expanding Pulsara use to stroke, sepsis, and trauma.

Saint Mary's Regional Health System

Carol Gore

Chief Nursing Officer