NHLBI Workshop

Data Needs for Cardiovascular Events, Management, and Outcomes

National Emergency Medical Services Information System - Dr. Greg Mears

N E M S I S National EMS Information System www.nemsis.org

What is NEMSIS? The National Association of State EMS Directors is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Trauma/EMS Systems program of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to develop a national EMS database. The uses of such a database include:

• Developing nationwide EMS training curricula.
• Evaluating patient and EMS system outcomes.
• Facilitating research efforts.
• Determining national fee schedules and reimbursement rates.
• Addressing resources for disaster and domestic preparedness.
• Providing valuable information on other issues or areas of need related to EMS care.

The NEMSIS Project. The NEMSIS grant is an ongoing project with the following tasks:

• Promote the NHTSA Uniform Pre-Hospital Dataset.
• Promote the National EMS Information System Dataset.
• Promote the National EMS Information System Business Implementation Model.
• Design and implement a Pilot National EMS Database with web reporting capabilities as a proof of concept.
• Support and promote state EMS data initiatives directed at implementing NEMSIS.

Participating States. 48 States NASEMSD states and 3 territory members have formally agreed to promote and support all EMS data initiatives within their states to conform to the NHTSA Version 2 dataset. These states will call upon vendors of EMS information system software to assist in implementing the National EMS Information System.

Components of NEMSIS

• The NHTSA Uniform Pre-Hospital EMS Dataset, Version 2.
  • A comprehensive dataset which serves as a reference to local and state EMS systems as they develop and implement EMS data systems.
  • Captures the following components of EMS service and patient care delivery:
    
    • Dispatch Data
    • Incident Data
    • Patient Data
      
      - Demographics
      - Medical History
      - Assessment
      - Medical Device Data
      - Treatments/Medications
      - Procedures
      - Disposition
      
    • Injury/Trauma Data
    • Cardiac Arrest Data
    • Financial Data
    • EMS System Demographic Data
    • EMS Personnel Demographic Data
    • Quality Management Indicators
    • Outcome Indicators
    • Domestic Terrorism Data
    • Linkage Data
      
• National EMS Dataset
  • A small subset of the NHTSA Uniform Pre-Hospital dataset consisting of 68 key data elements.
  • This is the minimal dataset each state is recommended to collect and submit.
  • Each state may choose to collect any amount of data between the full NHTSA Uniform Pre-Hospital Dataset and the National EMS Dataset.
  • Used to establish the National EMS Database.
    
• National EMS Database
  • The "warehouse" which will store the data collected from each state based on their chosen dataset.
  • Web-based reporting capability to better define and describe EMS systems, personnel, and services across the country.
    
• XML standard
  • Allows new and existing EMS datasets to import or export data based on the version 2 NHTSA dataset standards.
• Business Model
  • Used for the deployment of the National EMS Information System at the local, state, and national levels.

Completed Components

• NHTSA Version 2 Uniform Pre-Hospital Dataset
• NHTSA Version 2 XML Data Standard
• National EMS Database Dataset (66 data-element subset of the NHTSA Version 2 Dataset)
• NEMSIS Business Model and Implementation Plan
  

Organizational Participation

• Professional
  • American Ambulance Association (AAA)
  • American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
  • American College of Surgeons: Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT)
  • American Heart Association (AHA)
  • Emergency Medical Research Outcomes Project (EMSOP)
  • International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
  • International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
  • National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (NAEMD)
  • National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP)
  • National Association of EMS Quality Professionals (NAEMSQP)
  • National Association of State EMS Directors (NASEMSD)
  • National Emergency Number Association (NENA)
    
• Federal
  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • EMSC National Resource Center (NRC)
  • Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)
  • HRSA's Emergency Medical Services for Children Program (EMSC)
  • HRSA's Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
  • HRSA's Trauma/EMS Systems Program
  • National EMSC Data Analysis Resource Center (NEDARC)
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
    

Funding: This contract is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Trauma/EMS Systems Program and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Contact Information

N. Clay Mann, PhD, MS
Co-Investigator
University of Utah School of Medicine
Intermountain Injury Control Research Center
Phone: (801) 581-6410
E-mail: Clay.Mann@hsc.utah.edu

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