Cypress Creek EMS, Siemens Healthineers partnership brings prehospital blood analysis to patients

Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services officials announced a new collaboration with medical technology company Siemens Healthineers to offer lab-quality, point-of-care blood analysis testing in the field, according to an Oct. 12 news release.

CCEMS CEO Wren Nealy said the new partnership will allow emergency medical technicians to analyze patients’ blood before they reach the hospital.

“This technology is a game-changer,” Nealy said in a statement. “Instead of wasting hours transporting the patient to a hospital for lab testing, we can diagnose and treat the patient instantly, saving lives when seconds count.”

CCEMS officials said Siemens Healthineers' blood analysis system works by scanning a patient’s secure ID, analyzing a small blood sample and instantly delivering results inside the ambulance or aircraft, allowing emergency medical technicians to use the data to make treatment decisions. Officials noted the results include a full blood gas and metabolic panel.

"The advantages of having this technology at our fingertips are endless,” Nealy said. “The application of this system can be used for critical care transports and acute conditions endurance athletes experience during events like the Ironman, which we utilized last weekend.”

CCEMS provides critical care medical transport services for CHI St. Luke’s Health The Vintage Hospital, The Woodlands Hospital and associated free-standing emergency rooms in addition to providing medical services at events.

In June, CCEMS signed an agreement with American Jet International, an on-demand aircraft charter company that provides medical flights and organ transports across the U.S. and abroad. Per the agreement, CCEMS provides the medical flight crew and equipment necessary to assist AJI with all medical transport needs out of its Houston headquarters at Hobby Airport.