Hippo Technologies™ is working to support combat medics and soldiers to bring real-time access to the care they need, when and where they need it. Hippo’s hands-free voice-activated, head-worn tablet and Virtual Care Platform can bring the clinical specialist to the battlefield, no matter the distance or danger.

COVID-19 has compelled the medical community to adopt new technologies and telehealth. Even policymakers have recognized the need for flexibility at this time. But will these new policies be able to withstand “going back to normal”? Will this year’s success be enough to carry us forward to continue expanding telehealth and easier access? Over the […]

Technology is changing and changing medical care with it. With new advancements available, virtual care is providing much-needed access to populations and safety for healthcare workers during COVID-19. But virtual care is important for more than just this moment in time. It can provide a solution to underlying challenges that have been endemic within the […]

Augmented or mixed reality headsets used to be a thing of science fiction movies. Today, the Hippo Virtual Care™ Platform with its hands-free, voice-activated, head-worn tablet is making sci-fi a reality for first responders. Hippo is giving first responders real-time access to medical professionals and specialists in the field.
Emergencies are often chaotic, and physicians are rarely the first ones on the scene. Instead, EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) paramedics, firefighters, police, and other first responders must be ready to help patients who may need care beyond their medical skills. Using Hippo’s platform, first responders can connect with physicians in the Emergency Room before an ambulance even arrives. The virtual care headset allows a physician to remotely assess patients from the point of view of the first responder on the scene – enabling more rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Hippo’s head-worn tablet comes with a micro-display that emulates the look of a 7-inch tablet screen. The voice activation technology and advanced noise-canceling allow first responders to use the system hands-free and navigate different applications. The image stabilizing camera gives medical experts a first-hand view of the field, enabling them to deliver care remotely.
The virtual care headset is 5G enabled, providing high-quality video streaming in real time. “It’s an important step forward because not only can you learn how the patient is when explained over the phone, but you can actually see with your own eyes,” said Luís Rentar, a pediatrician who has been trialing the system in the city of Sabadell, near Barcelona. Additionally, the platform is Bluetooth enabled, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated into hospital systems.
Faster Triage and Smarter Clinical Decisions
The Hippo Virtual Care platform uses voice commands, keeping first responders’ hands free to assist the patient while sharing and receiving visual and audio directions from a physician. This wealth of transmitted information helps medical providers triage and diagnose patients before the ambulance has even arrived at the medical bay, allowing for faster and more informed emergency care.
Hippo’s system also allows physicians to advise first responders in the field. By giving them a first-hand view of the trauma scene, Hippo’s platform enables physicians to provide the on-site responder with life-saving medical instructions for patients who require immediate care.
Knowing what patients require before they even reach the ambulance bay also enables the hospital to prepare for a critically ill patient’s arrival. By seeing the patient and assessing their wounds and medical state, the treatment center can not only prioritize a patient’s needs, they can also set up the treatment center so everything they need is ready before the patient even arrives.
Saving Lives Today
The hands-free device keeps EMS safe and focused during critical tasks, all while receiving and transmitting vital information to a physician. The Hippo Virtual Care platform is currently being used in Norway by EMTs to provide life-saving care in emergency situations. Medical staff in ICUs are also taking advantage of this state-of-the-art technology to treat COVID-19 patients quickly and safely.
A first responder in Norway had this to say about using the innovative technology: “Hippo enables me to communicate quickly and effectively with colleagues back in the ER. It’s reassuring to have an extra set of eyes on what I’m seeing and doing.”
Hippo’s platform is easy to use and comes with plug and play installation and remote setup, allowing for quick and easy training. Often, first responders do not know what kind of situation they are walking into when they get a call, and have to be prepared to operate in harsh environments. Hippo’s platform was built to keep up with these demands. The headset is dust and water resistant and can survive a 2-meter drop onto concrete. The rechargeable batteries provide continuous 12-hour use, allowing the headset to accommodate long hours in the field.
At Hippo, we stand behind first responders. Our mission is to serve patients and those who care for them by leading the transformation to virtual care for providers and educators. Our team is helping to expand access to clinical expertise and technologies to improve the quality and safety of healthcare, globally.