Cotati’s ProTransport-1 brings virtual-reality tool to new ambulance

Amid growing use of wearable computers and telemedicine for remote diagnosis, treatment and even surgery, a Cotati-based medical transporter has rolled out a new ambulance that uses Google Glass camera-equipped spectacles on emergency technicians to transmit what they’re seeing to awaiting hospital staff.

On July 30, ProTransport-1 (protransport-1.com) unveiled a custom-designed ambulance outfitted with Google Glass and a stroke care simulator from StrykerNeurovascular. ProTransport-1 partnered with Regional Medical Center of San Jose on the design and implementation of a state-of-the-art, tech-enabled Mercedes Type II ambulance from Leader Industries. The vehicle will be dedicated to serving the medical center’s patients and medical professionals.

This is part of the transport company’s expansion into the South Bay.

The Google Glass system in the ambulances will allow EMTs, paramedics and nurses to transmit live video to receiving health care facilities during transports. In addition to mobile, visual evaluations, the versatile technology can improve the efficiency of patient care, documentation, navigation, dispatch communication and many more operational processes in the health care, ambulance and EMS industries.

ProTransport-1 has been featured in Inc. magazine’s list of the fastest-growing private companies in America four years in a row. During its 15-year history, the company has expanded services throughout the Bay Area, Sacramento, Central Valley and now the South Bay. The interfacility ambulance provider has a regional operations hub in Santa Clara, a station in Redwood City and 10 other locations in Northern California.

In July the company completed a merger with PRN Ambulance, a major Southern California transporter, creating a company with more than 200 ambulances. The deal was announced in mid-November.

Regional Medical Center of San Jose is ranked in the top 5 percent of U.S. hospitals this year.