NS Grant - Acceptance of 2008 EMS Toolkit Grant

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0 Generate your EMS System's Response Time Toolkit, with a date range of January 1, 2007 through July 31, 2007. In the space provided, describe how this project will positively impact your Toolkit's measurements /results in the future. EMS Toolkit Grant Application is directed toward improving EMS System response times related to the five EMS ies: EMS dispatch center time, EMS wheels-rolling time, EMS turn-around time, EMS vehicle maintenance, and EMS mentation/data completion. The Orange County EMS System Response Toolkit was reviewed specific to these five ',The 90% Fractile EMS Call Center time for Orange County was noted to be 4:00 minutes for emergent (lights and sirens) responses. The national standard for this time is noted to be 1.5 minutes (90 seconds). Through the implementation of the 'EMS Dispatch Center Time Policy, the Orange County EMS System will implement a process to improve this time interval ',during this grant period. Since the total EMS System Response Time begins with the phone ringing at the 911 center and '.ends with the EMS vehicle arriving an scene, this policy implementation will improve the overall EMS response time. , The 90% Fractile EMS Wheels Rolling (Chute) Time for Orange County was noted to be 14 minutes for emergent (lights and sirens) responses. The goal of the Orange County EMS System for this time interval is 1.5 minutes (90 seconds). Through the implementation of the EMS Dispatch Center Time Policy, the Orange County EMS System will implement a process to improve this time interval during this grant period. Since the total EMS System Response Time begins with the phone ringing at the 911 center and ends with the EMS vehicle arriving on scene, this policy implementation will improve the overall EMS response time. The 90% Fractile EMS Turn-Around (Back in Service) Time for Orange County is noted to be 39 minutes. This is a measurement of the time beginning with the arrival at a destination with a patient (typically a hospital) and ending with the time the EMS unit is cleaned, restocked, and ready to respond to the next EMS event. The goal of the Orange County EMS System for this time interval is 30 minutes. Through the implementation of the EMS Turn-Around Time Policy, the Orange County EMS System will implement a process to improve this time interval during this grant period. Although this time interval is not part of the EMS response time interval to the scene of an event, a prompt turn-around time improves the EMS System's ability to respond quickly to the next EMS event. Although the EMS System Response Toolkit for Orange County did not clearly identify an issue related to vehicle failures which resulted in prolonged EMS response times, it has been shown in national EMS literature that vehicle maintenance plans improve the reliability of EMS vehicles by preventing unplanned downtimes and vehicle failures. Through the implementation of the EMS Vehicle Maintenance Policy, the Orange County EMS System will implement a process to proactively maintain EMS vehicles for a safe timely EMS response with a minimal chance of vehicle failure. The EMS System Response Toolkit for Orange County reveals 28 data elements that are required to be documented on ', each EMS event which are either not documented regularly or at all by this EMS System. Through the implementation and ', ongoing monitoring of an EMS Documentation/Data Completion Policy, the Orange County EMS System will correct these documentation issues. Through improved documentation and data completion, the EMS Toolkits and PreMIS reports which j are generated will become more accurate and useful in the ongoing performance improvement of the EMS System's service; delivery and patient care. i One of the major improvements that this entire project (ZOLL system implementation and EMS Toolkit staff support) will have is obvious immediately in the Orange County Response Time Toolkit in the Analysis of Existing PreMIS data where Orange County has low completion rates in 22 categories and provides no data in 5 more categories. Having electronic medical records that are uploaded to PreMIS through automated processes will not only eliminate redundant data entry (saving time and effort) but will automatically transmit all data from Incidents to PreMIS. The implementation team member included in this project will lead initial data system training leading to increased data collection compliance. In addition, going forward the team member will run additional Response Time Toolkits to assure data quality and isolate recurrent Page 5 of 15