The death of a man in a Southeast Queensland hospital paved the way for the beginning of a mobile application that can help disabled patients, especially during emergencies.
The app was developed by Ipswich Hospital found in England. The app works by allowing its users to fill in key information like how they show pain and what their normal behaviors are. Users can even fill in their GP care plans and can even add their blood type. The user will then have the option to upload it directly to the hospital's systems, or email a PDF to GPs, caregivers or respite homes. It is said to be world's first and has even gained interest from Apple.
Ursula Hannigan, a spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital, is dedicated to find solutions to reduce pressure on the hospital emergency department. Ms. Hannigan said that the app is unique and different from anything else they could find because it was designed with doctors, nurses, and paramedics in mind, like what they might need to provide quick assessment and care. She said that there was a great evidence that people with disabilities had poorer outcomes when using health services.
The new app is called Julian's Key, named after the late Julian Klass. Mr. Klass was born with part of his brain outside his skull. In 2011, Mr. Klass was in pain from suspected kidney stones and was then admitted to Ipswich Hospital. He developed aspiration pneumonia and died 10 days later. According to the hospital's internal review, it found that multiple medication and systemic problems had contributed to Julian's death.
Bill Saxby, an Ipswich man who has multiple sclerosis, tested the app. He says that the app allows people an 'extra voice' and that "the app could stop staff accidentally making things worse by aggravating his multiple sclerosis."
