Medical software, like all computer software, can help its users simplify and streamline their lives and shave hours off of their daily schedules. But unlike many other types of software, programs specifically designed to aid medical professionals have the distinction of saving more than time; in countless instances, they can help save lives as well. Some types of medical software help physicians make faster and more accurate diagnoses, while others help them perform surgeries that are more precise and less traumatic for the patient. Along those lines, one of the most exciting new types of computer software for doctors is a program that allows physicians to monitor the vital signs of critical care patients from remote locations.

The revolutionary program, which is currently being developed and distributed by San Antonio-based AirStrip Technologies, was created originally for obstetricians who were struggling with treating several different patients at multiple locations, has already gained a number of fans in the medical community. According to one Las Vegas physician, the program – which he claims to use on a daily basis – has “significantly” improved communication between doctors and nurses during labor and delivery, and that patient care has likewise become much more effective as a result. AirStrip, which was founded by a software engineer and an obstetrician, continues to grow and adapt with the times: In fact, the software is now iPhone compatible and can even be downloaded via the iTunes store, where it averages more than 40 downloads each day.

Looking beyond its applications in the field of obstetrics, similar software programs may be developed that will allow doctors to “keep an eye” on patients, even when they can’t be in the hospital room themselves. It’s impossible to guess how many lives will be saved by the creation and dissemination of such software, but the possibilities are certainly exciting.