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AHA Interactive Video

The American Heart Association Stroke Recognition Training Platform, developed in partnership with UNMC's iEXCEL Program and built by Saddle Creek Apps, represents an experiential learning approach to medical education.

Unlike traditional passive learning methods, this interactive video-based web-app engages learners by placing them directly into realistic emergency scenarios. Users follow the journey of a stroke patient from symptoms onset through emergency response, diagnosis, and treatment.

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AHA Interactive App

Overview

Manage a project that takes draft documents, external framework & resources, and combine it into an instructionally designed document and website.

This project required a collaboration between UNMC staff, external consultants, instructional designers, graphic artists, web developers, and key stakeholders.

The result is a static web app hosted on Azure and hard-copy documents that are distributed to the target audience.


Services

Project Design UI/UX Image CDN Cloud Hosted Graphic Design Instructional Design


Tech Stack

Angular Material Angular Bootstrap Azure Static Web Apps


Scope of work


Every design journey starts off with a wireframe of all the requested features and a plan for user flow through the web app.

The Project ECHO team had a tight deadline to deliver an easy-to-understand document and website. Both contain an EPIS framework, standards, regulatory requirements, case examples, and resources. This document required instructional design, graphic design, web development and original graphics.

This final build includes a static web app.

1 Week

Research

  • Source Documents
  • Requirements Document
  • Design Documents
1 Week

UX Design

  • Wireframes
  • Graphic Design
  • Instructional Design
1 Week

Prod Build

  • Angular App
  • Cloud Hosted
  • Responsive Design

Powered by Leading Organizations

The AHA iEXCEL Academy represents a collaboration between world-class organizations committed to excellence in healthcare education and training.

American Heart Association

The AHA is a leading force for advancing cardiovascular health and combating heart disease and stroke through research, education, and advocacy.

  • Gold-standard certification protocols
  • Evidence-based guidelines and updates
  • Internationally recognized certifications

University of Nebraska Medical Center

UNMC is a world-class academic medical center committed to creating a healthier future through innovative research, education, and patient care.

  • Top-tier medical education expertise
  • Clinical excellence in healthcare delivery
  • Innovative research and teaching methodologies

UNMC iEXCEL

iEXCEL is a transformative program that uses advanced simulation and visualization technologies to enhance health professions education and training.

  • Cutting-edge simulation technology
  • Experiential and immersive learning
  • Interprofessional education approach
LEARNING METHODOLOGY

Benefits of Interactive Training

Our platform combines educational videos with interactive assessments to create an engaging learning experience that ensures knowledge retention and competency development.

Engaging Video Content

Professional educational videos demonstrate proper techniques and procedures, allowing learners to observe and understand critical concepts before practice.

  • Expert demonstrations of procedures
  • Visual learning enhances retention
  • Consistent instruction across learners

Knowledge Assessment

Interactive quizzes and assessments test comprehension and application of concepts, ensuring learners have mastered key skills before advancing.

  • Real-time feedback on performance
  • Competency validation before advancement
  • Identification of knowledge gaps

Self-Paced Learning

Learners can progress through content at their own pace, revisiting challenging concepts as needed for mastery.

Adaptive Learning Paths

The platform adapts to individual learning needs, providing additional resources for areas requiring improvement.

Certification Tracking

Automatically tracks completion status and certification dates, with reminders for renewal requirements.

INTERACTIVE TRAINING

Critical Decision Points

These key moments from the stroke response scenario demonstrate the interactive assessment points where healthcare professionals must apply their knowledge.

AHA still 1

Initial Stroke Assessment

Identifying facial droop and left-sided weakness

AHA still 2

RACE Score Evaluation

Determining stroke severity score of 9

AHA still 3

CT Scan Interpretation

Confirming absence of hemorrhage

AHA still 4

Thrombolytic Decision

Discussing benefits and risks with family

AHA still 5

Care Transfer Protocol

Preparing patient for thrombolytic

Slide of

The interactive video pauses at these critical points, requiring learners to make time-sensitive decisions based on their assessment of the patient's condition.

TECH STACK

Technologies Used

We employed a modern technology stack to ensure performance, scalability, and maintainability.

Frontend

Angular, Material Angular, Bootstrap

Backend

Node.js, Asp.Net, .Net

Video Technology

Bitmovin Player & Encoder, HLS/DASH

Cloud Infrastructure

Azure, Hosted Image CDN, Blob Storage

Development Tools & Practices

  • Jest & React Testing Library
  • Agile methodology with Jira
VIDEO SIMULATION

Acute Stroke Response Training

The platform features realistic clinical scenarios including this comprehensive stroke response simulation that guides learners through the critical stages of stroke identification and management.

Key Learning Objectives

  • Recognize early signs and symptoms of stroke
  • Perform standardized assessment protocols
  • Understand time-critical nature of stroke treatment
  • Evaluate diagnostic findings and treatment options
  • Communicate effectively with patients and families

Critical Skills Demonstrated

  • Initial stroke symptom recognition (facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties)
  • RACE score assessment (patient scored 9)
  • CT imaging interpretation (ruling out hemorrhagic stroke)
  • CTA confirmation of large vessel occlusion
  • Thrombolytic therapy decision-making and risk communication

Patient Journey Timeline

  • Last known well time: 8:30 PM
  • Initial symptoms: Left facial droop, left-sided weakness, speech difficulties
  • Vital signs: Pulse 96, respiration 28, BP 200/104, blood sugar 120
  • CT scan: Negative for hemorrhage
  • CTA: Positive for large vessel occlusion
  • Thrombolytic administration: 10:02 PM
Interactive assessment example

Interactive Decision Points

Throughout the simulation, learners face critical decision points where the video pauses and then the user must choose the appropriate next steps based on the clinical scenario. Their choices impact the simulated patient outcome and provide immediate feedback on their clinical reasoning.

Assessment Questions

Interactive questions test knowledge of stroke protocols, interpretation of diagnostic findings, and appropriate interventions.

Feedback System

Immediate feedback reinforces correct decisions and explains why alternative choices may lead to suboptimal outcomes.

EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

Benefits of Interactive Learning

Our platform leverages the proven advantages of interactive learning to create more effective educational experiences for healthcare professionals.

Expert Insight
"Interactive learning that simulates real-world scenarios creates neurological connections that significantly outperform traditional instruction methods. When healthcare professionals engage with realistic patient scenarios through interactive media, retention rates increase by up to 75% compared to lecture-based learning alone."
JS

Dr. James Stevenson

Director of Medical Education Innovation

Active Engagement

By requiring decision-making and active participation, learners remain fully engaged throughout the training process, leading to higher completion rates and better knowledge retention.

Scenario-Based Learning

Realistic clinical scenarios help healthcare professionals build confidence and competence by practicing critical decision-making in a safe, simulated environment before facing similar situations with real patients.

Immediate Feedback

Real-time feedback on decisions helps learners understand the consequences of their choices and reinforces best practices in stroke assessment and treatment protocols.

DEVELOPMENT

Technical Implementation

Our application leverages modern web technologies to deliver an interactive and responsive learning experience.

Angular Framework Integration

Built using Angular 19 with Angular Material components, the application provides a clean, intuitive interface that works across devices. This modern framework enables complex interactions without sacrificing performance.

 // Angular component for interactive assessment
 Component({
  selector: 'interactive-assessment',
  templateUrl: './assessment.component.html'
  })
  export class AssessmentComponent {
  // Video player integration with pause points
  // Assessment logic and scoring
  // Real-time feedback system
  }
Application screenshot

Key Technical Features

  • Bitmovin video player integration with interactive pause points
  • Responsive design optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop
  • User progress tracking and certification management
  • Azure Static Web Apps hosting for security and performance

Bitmovin Video Integration

The heart of our interactive learning experience is powered by Bitmovin's advanced video player technology, which allows precise control over video playback and interactive elements.

  • Time-based events trigger interactive questions at precise moments
  • Adaptive bitrate streaming ensures smooth playback on any device
  • Viewer analytics track engagement and completion rates

Interactive Video Configuration

// Bitmovin player with interactive assessment points
const playerConfig = {
  key: "YOUR-BITMOVIN-KEY",
  playback: {
    muted: false,
    autoplay: false
  },
  events: {
    onTimeChanged: function(data) {
      // Check for assessment pause points
      checkInteractionPoints(data.time);
    }
  }
};
RESULTS

Impact & Outcomes

The AHA iEXCEL Academy platform delivers measurable improvements in stroke recognition and response capabilities.

95%

Knowledge Retention

Healthcare professionals demonstrated significantly higher retention of critical stroke assessment protocols compared to traditional training methods.

42%

Faster Recognition

Improved speed of stroke recognition and appropriate protocol implementation among healthcare professionals who completed the training.

1.5K+

Healthcare Professionals Trained

Widespread adoption across healthcare systems with positive feedback on the platform's effectiveness and ease of use.

Healthcare Impact

By improving stroke recognition and response capabilities, this training platform contributes to better patient outcomes and potentially saves lives. Healthcare systems implementing this training have reported:

  • Reduced Door-to-Treatment Times

    More efficient assessment and diagnosis processes have reduced the time from patient arrival to treatment initiation.

  • Increased Protocol Compliance

    Higher adherence to evidence-based stroke protocols across healthcare teams, resulting in more consistent care delivery.

  • Enhanced Team Communication

    Improved communication between emergency responders, emergency department staff, and stroke specialists during critical care situations.

Client Testimonial

"The interactive video training platform has transformed how we prepare our healthcare professionals for stroke emergencies. The realistic scenarios and interactive decision points create an immersive learning experience that traditional methods simply cannot match."
AC

Healthcare Professional

Survey Response

ROADMAP

Future Development

Our commitment to excellence in healthcare education continues with planned enhancements to the platform.

Expanded Clinical Scenarios

We're developing new clinical scenarios to address different stroke presentations, complicating factors, and specialized populations, ensuring healthcare professionals are prepared for a wide range of real-world situations.

  • Pediatric stroke presentations and assessment
  • Complex cases with comorbidity
  • Simulations for rural and limited-resource settings

Enhanced Technology Features

We're investing in next-generation technology to further improve the learning experience and make the platform even more effective and accessible.

  • Virtual reality integration for immersive training
  • AI-driven personalized learning paths
  • Collaborative team training modules

Join Our Mission

The AHA iEXCEL Academy is committed to continuous improvement in stroke education and patient outcomes. By combining medical expertise, innovative technology, and evidence-based educational principles, we're creating a new standard for healthcare training.

For healthcare organizations interested in implementing this training platform or exploring other educational opportunities, please visit the website for more information and contact details.

TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHT

Advanced Streaming Media Technology

Our platform leverages cutting-edge streaming technology to deliver high-quality educational content across all devices and bandwidth conditions.

Bitmovin Streaming Solutions

The AHA iEXCEL Academy implements Bitmovin's industry-leading video encoding and player technology to provide a seamless educational experience.

  • Adaptive bitrate streaming automatically adjusts video quality based on connection speeds, ensuring uninterrupted learning
  • Multi-platform compatibility ensures consistent viewing experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
  • Advanced analytics provide insights into learner engagement and content performance

Technical Implementation

// Bitmovin Player Configuration
const playerConfig = {
  key: "YOUR-BITMOVIN-KEY",
  analytics: {
    key: "ANALYTICS-KEY",
    videoId: "aha-resuscitation-module-1"
  },
  adaptation: {
    preload: true
  }
};

Our dedicated streaming media servers work in conjunction with CDN infrastructure to deliver low-latency, high-quality video content to healthcare professionals globally.

Enhanced Performance

Optimized encoding reduces buffering and load times, ensuring smooth playback even in challenging network environments.

Security & Compliance

Content protection and DRM integration safeguard educational materials while maintaining HIPAA compliance for healthcare training.

Usage Analytics

Comprehensive analytics track viewer engagement, helping identify which content is most effective and where learners may need additional support.