The not-for-profit Sutter Health network, in Sacramento, Calif., is helping its patients connect not only with its resources, but also with doctors, clinics and ERs nationwide, using a free application that they can download on their smartphones.

Sutter Health is using technology called iTriage, a healthcare information software product introduced by Healthagen, LLC . iTriage was developed in 2008 by emergency room physicians, Peter Hudson, MD, who is co-founder and CEO of Healthagen and Wayne Guerra MD, who is the company's co-founder and chief medical officer.

"Sutter Health's decision to partner with iTriage speaks directly to its commitment to remain at the cutting edge of medical care through advanced technology. This is a revolutionary and important change for Northern California residents; who now have access to all Sutter Health network hospitals, and thousands of Sutter Health network physicians through the iTriage smartphone technology – wherever they are, and whenever they need it." said Hudson.

Sutter Health is one of the first Northern California health systems to collaborate with iTriage. Its expanded listings in the iTriage mobile app shows all users capabilities and areas of specialization of Sutter Health affiliated and aligned doctors and hospitals, website links, hours of operation and contact information.

Users will also have access to:

• 300 symptoms, 1,000 diseases and 350 medical procedures
• A database listing every doctor, hospital, urgent care clinic, retail clinic and pharmacy in the nation
• Ability to check symptoms, browse causes, view detailed descriptions and research remedies
• Turn-by-turn directions to trusted health care providers in any community nationwide

"iTriage connects a patient with vital health information at the exact point and time that he or she is searching for answers," said Jeff Burnich, MD, senior vice president and executive officer for the Sutter Medical Network. "Whether at home or traveling, a consumer can use their phone to get trustworthy information about a health care symptom and turn-by-turn directions to trusted health care providers in any community."

Consumers can download iTriage for free on to their iPhone, Android or other smartphone through iTunes or the Android market.