Emergency Medical Services
Strategic Planning and Data Management
The Strategic Planning and Data Management section of the EMS Division assists with the development, implementation and evaluation of the Strategic Initiatives identified in the 2002 Strategic Plan Update of the 1998-2003 Emergency Medical Services Strategic Plan. We are also dedicated to providing quality data for the purposes of long-term planning, EMS system monitoring, and program evaluation.
The Strategic Planning and Data Management section works closely with King County Fire Departments and Districts, paramedic agencies and other health care organizations to provide quality program management, oversight, and data analysis.
Each of the 31 EMS providers in King County completes a Medical Incident Report Form (MIRF) and submits a copy to the EMS Division. The Strategic Planning and Data Management section oversees the data collection, data analysis, and EMS reporting for these BLS and ALS agencies. The following links provide information regarding specific topic areas.
Data Collection
The EMS Division collects data about each paramedic and EMT emergency medical response using a specific form called the Medical Incident Report Form (MIRF). These records are used for medical, legal, and quality improvement purposes.
In addition to the MIRF database, cardiac arrests are specifically monitored in the EMS system in King County under the Cardiac Arrest Surveillance System (CASS). This oversight has been in place since 1976 when paramedic service was first regionally implemented in King County.
Systemwide Enhanced Network Design (SEND) Project
The EMS 1998-2003 Strategic Plan identified a major strategic initiative to improve EMS data collection in
King
County
. The Regional Data Collection (RDC) Project was a five-year, multi-phase, OIRM-approved initiative focused on replacing the paper Medical Incident Report Form (MIRF) with an electronic version. As a result of this effort, over 97% of
EMS
records are now collected electronically. However, due to restrictions in the system design and limited technological options, the RDC Project did not address the issue of timely access to complete EMS data and creation of a truly efficient and transparent network connecting all the entities that generate
EMS
data. As part of the process of developing the Medic One/EMS 2008-2013 Strategic Plan, an opportunity arose to develop a proposal that would address these issues in a coordinated and efficient manner with other regional efforts.
The SEND Project is a five-year plan to create a network that would enable timely data integration into a central repository and allow for secure data sharing between
EMS
agencies, hospitals, and the EMS Division. The proposal is designed to improve on the already successful Regional Data Collection Project by expanding the network to include all entities that generate
EMS
data while streamlining the network design to allow for a more efficient and effective electronic data repository. The system design is expected to preserve the autonomy of
EMS
agencies in managing and overseeing their individual datasets while enabling the region to better examine regional programs, research projects, and other systemwide components.
Data Analysis
The EMS Division uses the data collected on the Medical Incident Report Forms (MIRFs) to assist with the analysis of pilot projects, oversight of current programs, and explore new options for service. The data are also used to examine where additional services are needed and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the EMS system.
The following are sample uses of EMS data:
- The Advanced Life Support (ALS) Provider Map shows the response boundaries for the paramedic/ALS providers in King County, although agencies often provide mutual aid into neighboring jurisdictions.
- The Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Map shows the response boundaries for the EMT/BLS providers in King County. Similarly, BLS providers often provide mutual aid into neighboring jurisdictions.
- The EMS system in King County responds to over 166,000 calls for medical assistance each year and uses a tiered response model. EMTs respond to BLS Calls and paramedics respond to ALS Calls. View Call Volumes.
- EMS personnel respond to a variety of Types of Calls and a variety of Age Distributions. Review of this data allows the EMS Division to better understand and anticipate future need.
- The EMS Division is involved in a variety of pilot projects, including the Hypertension Identification by Emergency Responders (HIER) study. Analysis of 2004 MIRF data revealed over 25,000 patient records with high blood pressure in King County and efforts are now focused on developing effective intervention strategies for hypertensive patients.
Publications:
|
