In emergency situations, where saving a patient’s life is the top priority, every second counts. Quick decision-making and coordinated teamwork among medical staff can significantly improve survival chances and the outlook for further treatment. However, even in such scenarios, delays often occur due to insufficient coordination between paramedics and hospitals. To reduce response times and enhance the efficiency of care, new solutions are needed to help healthcare workers interact more swiftly and effectively.
The human factor plays a role in all areas of society, but in medicine, its consequences can be especially dire. These delays can also arise from hospital staff uncertainty. Additionally, due to hospitals being unprepared for certain procedures, valuable time may be lost while the patient is transferred to another facility.
The issue of delays in life-saving processes within hospitals has been studied by a leading Slovak cardiologist, Dr Martin Studenсan. He stressed the importance of establishing remote communication between paramedics in the field and cardiologists in specialised centres or catheterisation laboratories during critical moments. To address this problem, Dr Martin developed a simple and effective platform for interaction that brings together all participants at crucial moments.
With over 30 years of experience researching myocardial infarction in both academic and practical medicine, Dr Martin had deep knowledge in this field. However, to bring his innovative idea to life in a digital format, he needed a team of specialists. At this point, he was joined by his son Martin Studenkan Jr. and his brother Andrej, experts in business and IT, which led to the founding of STEMI Global. The team was further strengthened by experienced IT architect Peter Illes, which enhanced its potential.
Father and son combined their knowledge and skills in project management and marketing, resulting in the creation of a simple yet effective smartphone-based STEMI platform. They adhered to the principle that the design should be simple but not oversimplified. As a result, STEMI is an innovative system that is both useful and convenient for paramedics and doctors alike, regardless of the staff’s technical skills.
Moreover, STEMI eliminates communication issues, allowing participants in the rescue process to make informed decisions about the patient’s condition and the choice of the appropriate hospital. The platform also reduces barriers to the adoption of new technologies, requiring only basic resources: internet access, a standard smartphone, and a willingness to use it in emergencies. One of its most significant features is that STEMI provides medical facilities with crucial information in advance, enabling them to prepare for the patient’s arrival and track the ambulance’s location.
Andrej Studencan, the current CEO of STEMI, notes: “The STEMI project became a reality thanks to the coordinated work of a team of specialists, each of whom contributed to its development. Peter Illes, the CTO, organised and assembled a tech team that brings all technological solutions to life, ensuring innovation and reliability in the products.
Meanwhile, Dr Martin Studentcan, the Chief Medical Officer, uses his years of experience in cardiology to shape the medical foundation of the platform. Rasto Durica, the CCO, promotes the project and attracts partners, making STEMI known in the market. Robert Sopko, the technical lead, coordinates technical tasks.
Special would like to highlight the work of our engineering team, especially the outstanding contribution of our lead software engineer Dmitry Broshkov, who helped us achieve very important milestones by implementing an innovative AI-based telemedicine module. This led us to be awarded as the top telehealth solution provider in Europe by the prestigious Healthcare Tech Outlook.’
Together, these individuals work to make STEMI a successful project that helps save lives and improve healthcare.
Andrej Studencan, claims that STEMI is designed for paramedics, medical clinic professionals, and regional health services, all working within a unified system. Paramedics only need a smartphone or tablet with the app installed in their ambulance. The platform complies with the latest medical standards, allowing the collection of key patient information, such as text, graphics, and video materials, for quick transmission to doctors.
Once this data is gathered, it is sent to the nearest specialised healthcare centre, where a doctor handling acute cases receives the digital information on their device and desktop computer.
Based on the provided information, the doctor can assess the situation, initiate remote support for paramedics, and determine the patient’s likely diagnosis, as well as decide on the most suitable medical facility for their treatment. When the hospital’s work is completed, the doctor can quickly notify the team using the fast-access function, ensuring that everything necessary for the patient’s treatment is prepared in advance.
Within regional or national healthcare management, the STEMI system is equipped with a central computer panel displaying statistics and analytics on the expected treatment timelines—from the first contact with the doctor to the completion of PCI or a CT scan. The panel also shows data on the resources deployed across the country and other key metrics. Andrej notes that while the main goal was to eliminate unnecessary delays, the solution has also been highly effective in addressing issues related to Covid-19, utilising existing communication channels between paramedics and doctors.
With a focus on protecting those on the frontlines of the pandemic, STEMI supports the healthcare sector by adapting its app with a variety of digital tools and solutions. In situations where a patient with acute myocardial infarction is suspected or confirmed to have the virus, the circumstances are much more complicated, as medical staff are at greater risk of infection. To assist frontline services, STEMI added a special Covid tab to its app, allowing medical professionals to note their suspicions alongside other patient information. This helps hospitals and specific departments prepare in advance and take appropriate measures.
STEMI has established itself through a careful focus on the needs of doctors, junior medical staff, and patients, standing out with a new set of features. Andrej highlights that one of the key time-saving benefits is the optimisation and simplification of communication, as STEMI only uses data that directly influences decision-making.
A distinguishing feature of STEMI is that it is a compact platform designed to treat critical conditions such as myocardial infarction, stroke, trauma, and Covid. Thanks to these unique functions, the system is widely used across Slovakia, covering all stroke and cardiology centres, as well as ambulance services. Additionally, STEMI offers the option for localisation in various languages, enabling workflows to be adapted to local needs in any country, thus supporting the company’s global ambitions.
The STEMI team has achieved significant results and made a substantial impact on healthcare. Statistics show that around 35% of myocardial infarction patients in Slovakia required secondary transport, with total ischaemic time averaging 241 minutes. Following the introduction of the first version of STEMI, within just six months, secondary transport was reduced by 64%, and ischaemic time was decreased by 60 minutes.
This reduction in time greatly improved patient survival rates. Considering these positive outcomes, the company plans to expand internationally, helping people around the world.
