Artificial Intelligence is changing almost every aspect of modern life. In Austria, it's being tested by emergency medical teams to help save lives - cutting down on communication and paperwork, and allowing first responders to fully focus on treating patients.

"How do you feel now?", physician Giuliano Henrichs asks a girl who hit her head while snowboarding. 

"My head hurts," the 17-year-old patient answers. She just regained consciousness.

Upon arrival at the emergency site on Austria's Nassfeld mountain, the rescue team activates a new artificial intelligence software which listens to everything being said.

"We will give you a little painkiller, it can make you dizzy," Henrichs tells the girl.

Time efficient

Based on the team's spoken words, the HeliDoc app generates a medical summary, known as a protocol, outlining crucial patient details.

This replaces handwritten documentation which was usually done afterwards from memory, and prone to errors.

"Obviously, I have to do some proofreading whether the AI-documented details are right," Henrichs tells CGTN. "But when the AI does a good job then it's less time consuming for me, I can focus more on the patient."

During rescue operations, the AI device automatically sends a protocol to the destination hospital providing details on a patient's injuries and condition. So, as well as playing a role in diagnostics and drug development - AI is also helping with emergency response.

The app developers Magdalena Druml and Marco Sonnberger were both working in the medical field when they noticed how manual documentation can interfere with patient care. A year ago they decided to launch their own startup.

"I was working as a nurse and I've been in thousands of emergency situations," Druml says. 

They decided to develop a technology which fits to this stressful and time-pressured environment, even when there's no internet connection. 

"Our AI voice assistant works completely offline," Sonnberger explains.

"We want to roll out HeliDoc worldwide," Sonnberger adds. "To improve patient outcomes, not just in Austria."

The AI-assisted app is currently being tested by Austrian air rescue services, while interest from organizations in Europe and North America continues to grow. Meanwhile, physician Henrichs and his team are on their way to treat their next patient.