Medical Record Numbers

There has been some concern brought forth of why Medical Record numbers are important to be collected in Image Trend. The collection of the MR number has less to do with billing and more to do with QA.

 

Our goal is to work with LMHS to provide an open sharing of patient outcomes and in turn drive our treatment guidelines based on patient outcomes. The agreed upon tracking mechanism is the Medical Record number. We currently have an established agreement with Trauma Service and Cardiac Services that provide patient outcomes for us. We hope to be able to expand this to all patient types but will not be able to without Medical Record numbers.

 

This is all part of the bigger picture of practicing evidenced based medicine. We currently develop treatment guidelines based on current medical evidenced. Establishing feedback mechanisms on patient outcomes is paramount to measuring our effectiveness.

 

I am fully aware of the constraints at some facilities for collecting certain information including the MR number.  As we continue to collect the numbers, the EDs become accustom to us requesting it; it will become ingrained in the routine process of patient exchange.

 

(submitted by Deputy Chief Scott Tuttle)

Working with PCRs that have been minimized

I have had a few people ask me about this in the past, so I think it's worth sending out to everybody.  Oftentimes crews are minimizing one PCR probably to work on another one.  When you go back to work on the original or minimized PCR, it is essential that you click on the PCR at the bottom of the screen instead of opening it up from the "Last 10 Incidents" on the home screen.  This actually opens up a new version of the PCR, allowing you to have 2 versions of the same PCR open at the same time.  It has lead to problems in the past with losing data that you have entered. 

 
 

Lost passwords

To retrieve your lost password, log into http://www.safelee.com. Go to the log on screen and click on “Forgot your password?” just below and to the right of the form. A window will appear and request your email address. Once you enter your leegov email address, a message will be sent to that account with your password.

NEMSIS and EMSTARS

ImageTrend uses two standards for data collection:

NEMSIS: NEMSIS stands for the National Emergency Medical Services Information System. NEMSIS is the national repository that will be used to store EMS data from every state in the nation. Such a database is useful in 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; and providing valuable information on other issues or areas of need related to EMS care.

EMSTARS: EMSTARS is the repository of Florida EMS prehospital incident level data from licensed EMS agencies in the state. The Florida Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) implemented this program in July 2008 to enable the collection of a set of data elements (Florida EMS Dataset) that will provide specific, useful, actionable information to facilitate the continued improvements in EMS service and patient care statewide.

Daily operations

As you come on duty for your shift, you should shut down ImageTrend and reboot the computer. Once the device reboots, log in to ImageTrend, update the crew, and verify that the unit ID is correct.

At each crew change, you should log out of ImageTrend, log back in, and adjust the crew accordingly. This will ensure that you can get to reports completed during your shift.

Documenting different types of delays

On the "Transport Tab" the last 4 sliders are for different types of delays: Response, Scene, Transport, and Turnaround. When you have a long response time that falls out of the county's 8:59 requirement, you should document a Response delay such as traffic, distance, or directions.

Scene delays are extremely important for Trauma Alerts. When no delay is selected, we assume there was no reason for the on scene delay.

Last but not least, turnaround delays such as ED overcrowding or cleanup should be documented when appropriate.

(submitted by Jason Ausman)