A research study at Johns Hopkins reveals that medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the United States. Fortunately, companies like B-Line Medical, whose mission is to “provide health care educators and clinicians with innovative video-driven solutions to effect real and immediate improvement in the delivery of care,” are using innovative technology to lessen medical errors and prevent the loss of life. Rolling out spoke exclusively with B-Line Medical president Hartley Thompson about his beginnings with the company, his duties, and how the company continues to save lives.
When Thompson joined the staff at B-Line Medical, the first to market with the most advanced technology available today, in 2007, he didn’t envision working for the company nearly a decade later. He said, “I was looking for an opportunity to join a technology startup that was cutting edge at the time.” In 2007, his desires were simple: “Learn as much as I can for two to three years and then start my own technology company.” But something changed, and it was the people and the goals that inspired him to stay.
“We are a group of people who are very passionate … we worked crazy hours to get it off the ground,” he said. The combination of his coworkers feeling like family, cutting-edge technology being applied to the healthcare industry, and the mission and the vision that Thompson saw from the founders, ultimately led to him staying. He saw founders who wanted to impact the industry, not solely focusing on making money.
The Bahamian native has served the company in several roles during his tenure, including director of technical services and vice president of operations, before becoming president. His unique perspective within the company led to his current title. “I was fortunate to be able to join the company when it was a startup and learn every aspect of the business inside and out,” he said. “The founders trusted me to lead.”
The company provides its technology to over 450 medical schools, nursing schools, teaching hospitals and other hospitals worldwide. “Our core business is providing medical schools, training schools, and other hospitals with a video-based management system,” he said.
This system has been likened to video replay in the world of athletics for its ability to use video to identify ways to enhance performance. This ground-breaking technology, called Circle of Safety™, allows hospitals to record and replay live patient scenarios, who are then able to use this information to assess how to deliver better and safer care for patients.
B-Line Medical, which is based in Washington, D.C., boasts about 70 employees and has about 500 customers worldwide in over 25 countries. Thompson said, “The future is very bright. We are in a market, medical simulation, that is growing and getting a lot of attention.”
Finally, Thompson expressed why B-Line Medical is confident they will stay on top. “As a business leader, you get pulled in a lot of directions,” he said. “If you have a dedicated team, you can change the world.”
