November 06 Project Update

Cleveland Couny EMS has entered into a contractual agreement with EMSCharts to provide patient care documentation. At the time of the review of EMSCharts it was discovered that they would provide quality software that would meet many of the data documentation needs now and into the future. They also provided several ways to utilize new technology to improve patient documentation.

EMSCharts Mobile

One improvement is the Mobile software that has been provided and updated several times. With the mobile software it is possible to obtain signatures and reduce the documents that have to be scanned. Currently using the mobile software there is only one document that has to be scanned prior to locking chart. That document is the hospital demographics page. This document assists the billing company bill our customers more efficiently. The software enables employees to start a chart on the laptop and obtain signatures and upload to the web server with very minimal data entry. However in the event that time permits the chart can be 95% completed prior to uploading. This reduces the time to complete and lock chart on the web server.

Wireless Routers

Each base has been equipped with wireless routers. With these routers it is possible to upload patient charts from emscharts mobile without removing laptops from the ambulance. See problem/solution web page for connectivity issues.

Bluetooth Technology

Purchase of Bluetooth cell phones, Bluetooth modules for LP12 and a Bluetooth card for the laptops enables data to be shared between devices wirelessly. Bluetooth meets all encryption requirements.

Medtronics LP12 Data Migration

Another feature offered was the ability to attach information from the LP12 into the patient chart. Again this reduces the amount of scanning required. Also the LP12 component allowed the heart monitor to communicate with the Bluetooth enabled cell phone to send diagnostic 12 lead information to hospitals that have a Medtronics Receiving Station located in their facility. Gaston Mem. Hospital currently has a receiving station and Cleveland Regional and Kings Mtn. Hospitals have money budgeted to purchase stations for each facility. With the current Code STEMI project this LP12 data will the of tremendous value to EMS technicians when evaluating a patient that may be questionable. The data can be obtained in the field and sent to the receiving station and the ER doctor or cardiologist can assist with interpretation and field treatments.

Progress Report

We have been working to incorporate all of the new software and technologies into our department for the past four months. The laptop mounts are installed in 8 of 9 frontline ambulances (M12 in W. Jefferson for repairs). Cell phones and 12 volt charging stations are to be installed in all ambulances as soon as they arrive. M21 has the prototype installed and is operational. This charging system provides an external antenna for the cell phone to obtain a better signal to transmit the LP12 data to the hospitals. The Toughbook laptop computers will have the ability to receive the LP12 data either via direct cable or Bluetooth technology. This has been tested and is functional.

Employee Education

Currently there is a power point presentation for the usage of the EMSChart mobile software. Plans are to prepare a video and/or power point presentation on the LP12 data upload into the patient chart and sending a 12 lead fax to the receiving stations.

Benefits

With the above mentioned improvements Cleveland County EMS employees can provide quality patient care documentation. The reduction of scanned documents is a big improvement. The LP12 data upload can reduce the strip documentation on a cardiac arrest to less than three minutes. 35 strip images attachments can be uploaded and ready to document inside the patient chart in less than 5 minutes.

Patient care will be improved with the utilization of the receiving stations and 12 lead faxing of cardiac patients heart rhythms. Emergency doctors and/or cardiologist can assist with interpretations of rhythms.

Usage Timeline

With the installation of the new technologies it is time to set a timeline for usage.

(Paper) Blue forms : By the end of November all employees should be using the laptops and obtaining needed signatures.

LP12 Data into EmsCharts Mobile: As soon as all laptops and ambulances have the upgrades installed a timeline will be established.

LP12 data sending to receiving stations: TBA

You are encouraged to take the time and learn the new technologies .

Report problems as they occur (and they will). Be patient and work together. Together we can make the learning curve shorter.

Visit the web pages often for problem and solutions updates.