Podcast Summary: "Encore: Revolutionizing Rural Cardiac Care"
Advancing Health, American Hospital Association
Release Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Tom Peterleeb
Guest: Josh Neth, President, Mercy Hospital, Durango, Colorado
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode spotlights innovative solutions for improving cardiac care in rural communities, focusing on the adoption of the Pulsara communication platform at Mercy Hospital, Durango. The discussion centers on overcoming geographic and logistical barriers to timely heart attack intervention by facilitating real-time data sharing between EMS teams and cardiologists.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Challenge of Rural Cardiac Care
- Geographic Barriers:
- Mercy Hospital serves a vast, mountainous region in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Weather and terrain frequently delay ambulance transport times, making rapid cardiac intervention especially difficult.
2. Introduction to Pulsara
- What is Pulsara?
- “Pulsara is ultimately a field to hospital communication tool... [that] bridges that gap for us.” — Josh Neth [00:54]
- Enables EMS to transmit 12-lead EKGs and other patient data directly, securely, and in real time from the ambulance to the on-call cardiologist, even from remote locations.
3. How Pulsara Works—From Ambulance to Hospital
- Technology in Action:
- Utilizes Bluetooth, wired connections, and cell service to upload and send patient data as soon as a signal is available.
- Allows pre-hospital care teams to focus on patient care, while the cardiology team can review data remotely and prepare for the patient’s arrival.
- “It’s really comforting for the team to be able to know they’ve got a group of specialists just at their fingertips.” — Josh Neth [02:39]
4. Impact on Treatment Timelines and Outcomes
- Time Reduction:
- Before Pulsara: Average of 130 minutes from first medical contact to treatment ("reperfusion").
- After Pulsara: Reduced to 84 minutes, a 35% decrease in critical time.
- “Since we've implemented Pulsara, we've been able to reduce that time from first medical contact to perfusion from 130 minutes to 84 minutes.” — Josh Neth [04:47]
- Clinical Outcomes:
- Early data and anecdotes point to shorter hospital stays and faster recovery for cardiac patients.
- “We’re seeing patients with shorter hospital stays... and better outcomes clinically for them as well.” — Josh Neth [05:45]
5. Ease of Use and Implementation
- User Interface:
- Designed to be intuitive; comparable to using common smartphone apps.
- Minimal training required for both EMS and hospital staff.
- “If you can operate your social media apps on your cell phone, you can understand and operate Pulsara.” — Josh Neth [06:15]
- Integration:
- Connects directly to standard cardiac monitors, can be initiated easily in the field.
6. Affordability and Access
- Cost:
- Described as “not an overtly expensive investment” and suitable for a range of hospital budgets.
- Justified by the value in improved outcomes, even if a single life is saved.
- “It made all the sense in the world for us to do it... it is an affordable program that you can easily integrate.” — Josh Neth [06:57]
7. Applicability Beyond Rural Settings
- Urban Utility:
- Though most transformative for rural areas, the technology is similarly beneficial in urban environments with traffic delays or large hospital catchment areas.
- “It could be used widely across all markets... Time is still tissue and it’s still important for those patients to receive timely care.” — Josh Neth [07:30]
8. Professional and Community Commitment
- Passion for Community Impact:
- Josh Neth emphasizes the transformative impact on both patient outcomes and staff morale.
- “This would have been a game changer back then. I know for sure that this technology is saving lives and impacting people who live and work in my community.” — Josh Neth [08:27]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Technological Progress:
- “I was a ground paramedic and a flight paramedic way back in the day and we didn’t have this technology. It’s really comforting for the team...” — Josh Neth [02:39]
-
On Impactful Results:
- “We know that time is tissue.” — Josh Neth [05:45]
- “It allows our clinical teams to be thinking about, you know, what kind of STEMI does this look like? What should we be prepared for when this patient comes in the door?" — Josh Neth [07:42]
-
On Community Role:
- "That’s our role in this world, is to make sure we’re taking great care of our community in a way that’s meaningful. And this is just another tool in our toolbox that allows us to do that." — Josh Neth [08:40]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- What is Pulsara? – 00:54
- Field Communication & Technology – 02:39
- Time Reduction with Pulsara—Real Results – 04:47
- Early Impact, Shorter Stays – 05:45
- Ease of Use – 06:15
- Affordability and Investment – 06:57
- Suitability for Urban Settings – 07:30
- Commitment to Rural Health – 08:27
Conclusion
This episode offers a compelling and practical look at how innovative digital health tools like Pulsara are revolutionizing rural cardiac care. By directly connecting EMS to specialists and shortening the critical window to treatment, Mercy Hospital is setting a precedent for hospitals nationwide—rural or urban. The technology is accessible, easy to implement, and already demonstrating clear real-world benefits in lives saved and recovery times improved. For hospital leaders and care providers, the message is clear: timely information saves lives, and communication tools like Pulsara are invaluable assets for any modern health system.