Project Description
The upgraded system, which is called eMEDS®, is a statewide, Web-based data collection and reporting tool. As a Web-based tool this means that agencies will either enter data directly into eMEDS, or upload data from a commercial EMS software program that the agency has purchased. Upgraded technology: moving EMS data collection to a Web-based program is the largest part of upgrading the program and brings it to a level that is now the standard method for state and federal agencies to collect required information. For the majority of agencies this upgrade will eventually make submitting easier; a small percentage of agencies will have challenges accessing the internet, or will have to add internet service to their agency’s budget. Other technology that is part of MIEMSS’ goals is to provide EMS agencies with access to their own data, including reporting tools to view the data. MIEMSS intends to continue to provide the basic data collection and performance improvement and reporting tool at no cost to agencies.
Performance Improvement (PI)
Sometimes called quality assurance (QA), quality improvement (QI), or other names is required to be performed by each licensed EMS agency in Maryland. eMEDS has, as part of its basic function, the ability for EMS agencies to review their own data in a way that they can see where their strengths and weakness are, so they may strive to provide the best patient care and response to requests for services as possible.
Electronic Maryland EMS Data System (eMEDS)
Will agencies have to use ePCRs? YES! MIEMSS intends to encourage agencies to adopt using electronic patient care reporting by providing free field collection software and provide as much hardware as MIEMSS can secure funding for ePCR will be mandated.
Commercial Product
Why is MIEMSS planning to purchase an already existing commercial product instead of developing it own program? Simply put: time and money. With the amount of information technology (IT) resources available to MIEMSS, competing with other state programs, combined with amount of time and effort that is required to design, program, test and implement a new program of this size, the eMAIS program realistically would not get upgraded.
It has only been within the last approximately four years that there have been EMS software programs developed that can manage a statewide system. Thanks in part to the standards created by the NEMSIS project there are now about 12-14 statewide programs that are similar to what MIEMSS envisions in our program. The efforts of these 12-14 states has provided software companies with the opportunity to learn how to provide statewide service and provide Maryland with the ability to learn from the other states how to implement a new program more easily. We will save significant time and costs because of the experience of other states programs.
Benefits
A more user friendly system will enable MIEMSS to utilize EMS data for surveillance and to move towards evidence based practices. Data will be more readily available for users in developing and maintaining performance.
NEMSIS (National EMS Information System) Information
More information about NEMSIS can be found at http://www.NEMSIS.org. Click on “The Project” tab to learn what NEMSIS is and what states and organizations support the project. The “Compliant Software” tab provides a list of software vendors that are Gold Compliant. It is MIEMSS intent to require bidders for the statewide contract to be Gold Compliant with NEMSIS. This will provide EMS agencies with the ability to utilize the state provided software and be able to collect any NEMSIS compliant data they choose. The support tab includes the entire NEMSIS dataset (Maryland will not collect all of these items) and the “Software Developers” tab includes technical information about the format that will be used when MIEMSS changes its program.
Project Status
The project is scheduled from September 2009, to December 30, 2010. The project is currently on schedule.