Oklahoma's Data-Driven Approach to Urban EMS Response Time Reform

The Olympic motto is citius, altius, fortius (Latin for "faster, higher, stronger"). Although the 2016 Summer Games are long behind us, isn't a similar expectation always applied to "Team EMS"? We're expected to be faster in our response times, higher in our emergency care standards and stronger in our knowledge. Improving emergency care standards has helped EMS become more integral, effective and essential to a community's health—but what about response times? Is faster really better? Is it better in all circumstances? Is it better in any circumstance? Is there a cost to a fast(er) response—and what is that cost? Any discussion on EMS response times should be framed in the context of our mission: the relentless pursuit of optimal prehospital emergency medical care. In carrying out this mission, our responsibilities include the safety of our patients and the public, as well as other EMS professionals, and operating with fiscal accountability and unquestionable ethics. But how are our EMS systems actually judged by our patients, their families and loved ones, our colleagues in emergency care, and our community leaders? You've likely never received a congratulatory phone call for getting the amiodarone or epinephrine dose correct. Far more likely, especially for those in an administrative or leadership position, the communications you get are either hoorays or harpoons for just two issues: how fast or slow EMS arrived on scene, or how nice or r...
Source: JEMS Administration and Leadership - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Ambulances & Vehicle Ops Communications Dispatch Source Type: news