ImageTrend and MN Department of Health Prepare for the Republican National Convention

LAKEVILLE, MN – ImageTrend’s Resource Bridge, named MNTrac by the Minnesota Department of Health, along with ImageTrend’s Patient Tracking system were recognized by KSTP 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS during their news broadcast on June 4, 2008. MNTrac and Patient Tracking are emergency preparedness aids that promote communication and provide needed information in case of emergencies. These systems are an integral part of the upcoming Republican National Convention.

ImageTrend and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) have had a close working relationship when it comes to emergency preparedness. MNTrac aided in the rescue efforts during the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007, as well as the southeastern Minnesota floods that same season. In order to prepare for the large volume of people during the Republican National Convention, the Patient Tracking system was tested during the Minnesota State Fair on September 10, 2007, and was tested live during some recent tornado incidents in Minnesota.

The following article is from the KSTP 5 Eyewitness News website (www.kstp.com).

Regions Hospital ready for the RNC rush

06/04/2008 6:22 PM
By: Phillip Halliday, Web Producer, KSTP 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Regions Hospital is preparing for the Republican National Convention, insuring they will not be overwhelmed when the Twin Cities fills up this September.

The hospital has recently renovated their Medical Resource Command Center or MRCC, a major communication tool used in organizing ambulance routes. It is one of only two in the Twin Cities and it services the east Metro and parts of Wisconsin.

Through the MRCC, operators can determine which hospitals are open to taking patients and how many they’re able to take at any given time. "We kind of become the flight control center for the ambulances," said MRCC Operator Dave Gammell.

A patient tracking system has also been developed. It was first implemented during last year's state fair and it allows hospitals to determine when and where patients are transferred through bar-coded wristbands.

Another tool that gives Regions confidence for the convention is the permanent decontamination area. One hundred to 150 people an hour can pass through the showers and the system can operate for four hours before the collection tanks must be drained.

The hospital also plans to ramp up on their security staff. "That is one area that we are going to staff up just because it is a national security event and we’re going to recognize that fact and be ready for it," said Regions Director of Plant Operations Rick Huston.

About ImageTrend, Inc.
www.imagetrend.com

ImageTrend, Inc. is an innovative software company in Lakeville, MN, devoted to bringing cutting-edge technology to the forefront of business. ImageTrend’s award-winning applications contribute to their ranking as one of Minnesota’s fastest growing technology companies three years running and among the top 500 in the nation according to Deloitte Technology awards. ImageTrend combines business analysis, creative design and database-driven architecture with sophisticated development standards to provide tomorrow’s solutions today.

About MN Department of Health
www.health.state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Health performs a wide range of critical public health duties every day. The department also regularly identifies public health issues that need special attention. The department is currently focusing on several priorities, including preparing for public health emergencies in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and many other agencies to prepare for large-scale emergencies, ranging from natural disasters to terrorism to a pandemic.