Medicaid

Medicaid has grown into more than just a safety net it has become a cornerstone of healthcare in the United States. Over the years, it has expanded access for children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities, especially in underserved and rural communities. Beyond providing coverage, Medicaid has invested in preventive care, maternal health, behavioral health, and long-term care, shaping how health services are delivered nationwide. It remains the largest payer for behavioral health and a critical bridge for millions who might otherwise go without care.

Pulsara

Pulsara is a HIPAA-compliant telehealth communication and logistics platform designed specifically for healthcare providers, emergency medical services (EMS), and hospitals. It enables secure, real-time collaboration across organizations and teams, particularly for time-sensitive cases like strokes, heart attacks (STEMI), trauma, and mass casualty incidents. Founded in 2014 by clinicians including Dr. James Woodson, Pulsara originated from a need to improve emergency communication, replacing outdated methods like radio reports or fragmented phone calls with a unified app-based system.

Key Features

Patient Channels: Users create dedicated, secure channels for each patient event, allowing instant notifications, sharing of images/ECGs/videos, audio/video calls, ETA alerts, and team building—even dynamically adding specialists as needed. EMS Integration: Paramedics can start a case from the field, share critical data with hospitals, and integrate seamlessly into the care continuum, reducing handover errors and treatment times (e.g., up to 68% faster CT scans in some systems). Telehealth Capabilities: Includes live video/audio calls for teletriage, inpatient monitoring (e.g., reducing exposure during infectious diseases), and group conferencing for unscheduled acute care. Scalability for Disasters: Handles mass casualty events by connecting multiple agencies (EMS, hospitals, public health) for triage, patient tracking, and resource coordination. Evidence-Based Impact: Used by health systems like Memorial Hermann and in Florida's EMS program, it has reduced door-to-treatment times (e.g., 59% faster for stroke tPA) and improved outcomes by minimizing miscommunication, which causes 80% of serious medical errors. The platform is available as a mobile app (iOS/Android) and web tool, emphasizing simplicity and security for providers from rural EMS to urban trauma centers. It's not a general consumer app but a professional tool focused on connecting "the right people at the right time around every patient." For more details, visit their official site at pulsara.com.

Healthcare Assistant (HCA)

A Healthcare Assistant (also called a healthcare support worker, nursing assistant, or care assistant) is a non-licensed healthcare worker who supports medical staff, such as nurses and doctors, in providing patient care. HCAs work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and community care environments.

Roles and Responsibilities

Patient Care: Assisting with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility for patients who need support. Vital Signs Monitoring: Taking and recording temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration rates. Support for Medical Staff: Helping nurses with tasks like preparing equipment, changing bedding, or transporting patients. Emotional Support: Providing companionship and reassurance to patients, especially in long-term care or palliative settings. Basic Procedures: In some cases, HCAs may assist with tasks like wound care or administering basic treatments under supervision.