As we move into an age centralized on digital software and technology usage, many emergency medical services have opted for efficient and easy-to-use software programs. This is to eliminate excessive time spent recording data and open up opportunities for patients and EMS responders in the future.
Data analytics is an integral part of every EMS department. It’s the foundation of incident reports, permit records, patient records, and more. While traditional methods have been successful in the past, they can’t keep up in today’s age.
Knowing the benefits of new software programs in the EMS field will help prepare responders and patients for a future-focused swiftness and efficiency.
EMS Data Analytics in the Past
In the past decade, data analytics relied heavily upon physical paperwork, emails, and faxing. These methods required responders and EMS teams to input data and send reports multiple times before the data was received and considered accurate.
Faxing and emailing important documents was time-consuming and, at times, risky. Documentation could be easily lost or ignored, and the lengthy periods between sending reports and reviewing them wasted valuable time for many EMS teams.
EMS Technology Today
Today, new implementations in technology called emergency medical services software (EMS software) or emergency health reporting (EHR) software has eliminated the need to re-input data from multiple departments and has made the entire data analysis procedure quick and straightforward.
What is EHR/EMS Software?
EMS software is a versatile method of data storage and organization. One such program is ESO. ESO is a cloud-based platform that stores and organizes data and important documentation for EMS departments, patients, and local properties.
EMS software allows responders and EMS teams to record their reports and vital information one time to be accessed by all local departments. This eliminates confusion between departments and makes data accessible to everyone involved. The software stores data such as permit records, patient reports, incident reports, maintenance schedules, and property documentation.
These systems often include incredible analytics tools to help organize and understand patterns and critical data within local departments. Incidents can be targeted, and malfunctioning equipment can be handled before becoming a danger in a crisis. The ability to confidently analyze and structure data per the department’s needs makes these software programs appealing to many EMS teams.
What Are The Benefits of EMS Software?
There are several benefits of EMS software. There are a few listed below. However, note that there are many more benefits outside of what we can cover in this article.
Easy Access to Information
One of the key benefits of this new EMS software is how teams and EMS departments can access information. Rather than filing paper reports, copying, faxing, and emailing documents, all important resources can be obtained near-universally through the cloud-based system.
Permit records, property documents, and incident reports can be accessed by local EMS departments and shared quickly via the internal messaging system. This allows other departments to access critical information and data without following the antiquated, pain-staking route of physically transferring documents via mail.
Securely Recorded Data
Another benefit of the EHR software is that data is securely recorded and stored. After incidents and emergencies, EMS crews have to write up a report. Often, multiple reports need to be written to provide the most accuracy. Several departments have to file these incident reports and ensure that they are the same across all fields.
Furthermore, securely storing patient and patient condition data is vital across all EMS teams. The ability to access this patient data allows responders to make patient transfers smoother and eliminates any confusion.
Time-Saving Technology
Of course, the most significant aspect of using a cloud-based system to store EMS data is its ability to save time. Time is vital for all EMS responders. By eliminating the need to file reports multiple times and sending documentation through the mail, responders and EMS teams can focus on providing the best possible service for their local community.
Standardization
Additionally, standardization is a crucial element of EMS departments. Procedures and methods of filing data need to be uniform across the board. By utilizing an EMS software system, teams can rest assured that their data and filing methods are universal and standardized.
By having a standardized procedure for data storage, all confusion and hesitation are eliminated. This ensures smoother communication and ample opportunity for additional education and growth within departments.
Final Thoughts
New technology in data analytics includes cloud-based EMS software systems that save time by storing and organizing data in a secure space. This information becomes easily accessible for multiple departments. It resolves traditional long wait times for documents and misinformation that results in poor communication. EHR systems are changing the way EMS teams respond to emergencies and have created a secure place for data analyzing and recording.
