Journal article
The North Carolina EMS Data System: A Comprehensive Integrated Emergency Medical Services Quality Improvement Program
Prehospital emergency care, v 14(1), pp 85-94
01 Jan 2010
PMID: 19947872
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Abstract
Background. The EMS Agenda for the Future describes emergency medical services (EMS) as the intersection between public health, public safety, and health care. The most comprehensive method to describe, evaluate, and optimize these systems of care is using a state EMS data system. A centralized EMS data system can be a valuable tool to identify, evaluate, target, and improve EMS service delivery and patient care. Significant barriers, however, still exist to the standardization of EMS data systems and infrastructure nationally. Indeed, there is no comprehensive measurement of EMS service delivery or patient volume at the national level. Objective. In this article, we describe the successful development of a fully integrated, statewide EMS data system for quality improvement of EMS service delivery and patient care in North Carolina. The article also provides a platform for linking EMS with emergency physicians, other health care providers, and public health agencies responsible for planning, disease surveillance, and disaster preparedness. Results and Conclusion. The North Carolina EMS Data System represents the successful development of a large, fully integrated, comprehensive statewide EMS database and quality improvement effort. The North Carolina EMS Data System applications include the Prehospital Medical Information System (PreMIS), the Credentialing Information System (CIS), the State Medical Asset Resource Tracking Tool (SMARTT), and the EMS Performance Improvement Toolkits. The system provides a quality and performance improvement program consistent with the idealized EMS design described in the EMS Agenda for the Future. The program has already achieved significant improvements in the quality of EMS service delivery, patient care, and integrated systems of care. Consistent with the goals of the 2007 Institute of Medicine's recommendations for EMS, the linkage of the North Carolina EMS Data System with other health care registries has created an environment that can evaluate larger systems of care and ultimate patient outcomes.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- The North Carolina EMS Data System: A Comprehensive Integrated Emergency Medical Services Quality Improvement Program
- Creators
- Greg D. Mears - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDrexdal Pratt - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSeth W. Glickman - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillJane H. Brice - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillLawrence T. Glickman - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillJose G. Cabañas - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillCharles B. Cairns - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Publication Details
- Prehospital emergency care, v 14(1), pp 85-94
- Publisher
- Informa UK Ltd
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Medicine
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000275250300013
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-71449110364
- Other Identifier
- 991021448044504721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Emergency Medicine
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health