Biggest Leap Forward?

[Carlos Danger]

Prehospital CPAP. without a doubt.

This.

Back in the day before CPAP and RSI were common in the field, I can't tell you how many 2am 911 calls I ran for the 60 year old cardiac patient who woke up coughing up pink froth, struggling to breathe, with sats in the 80's.

All we could do was slap a NRB on and drive fast to the ED. Of course we'd give the obligatory NTG, lasix, and morphine.

And there were the 10mg morphine / 10mg valium / 10 mg brutane intubations, as well...

But CPAP changed all that and then some.

 

[richardharris908]

Yeah...I think so...

 

[ZombieEMT]

CPAP, retractable angiocath, ETCO2, and CAD

In some systems, paper PCR's are faster, and with the ePCR, the system can make you available for calls before the report from the current call is complete. I strongly dislike having to catch up on three or four reports because I get sent out of the hospital for another call less than 5-10 after arriving there, repeatedly. This is not so much of a problem in a rural system with long transport times, though.

Are you suggesting that you would rather delay patient care so that you can finish a report? Patient's do not generally choose when to get sick and can not possibly know when you are ready for them.

On an added note, most ePCR software is compatible with tablet PCs, PDAs or laptops. Toughbooks work great.

I feel that ePCR is definitely one of the best improvements. It collects data and is organized, LEGIBLE and has spell check. I use EMScharts and I can pull up any patient that my department has transported before. It will show me history and meds (as of last transport). This works wonders for patients that are not able to tell EMS providers, not to mention the time saved. Specifically in IFT companies, it saves from writing recurring patients demographics and insurance info. Most dialysis patients generate 6 trips alone within one week.

 

[DesertMedic66]

Are you suggesting that you would rather delay patient care so that you can finish a report? Patient's do not generally choose when to get sick and can not possibly know when you are ready for them.

On an added note, most ePCR software is compatible with tablet PCs, PDAs or laptops. Toughbooks work great.

I feel that ePCR is definitely one of the best improvements. It collects data and is organized, LEGIBLE and has spell check. I use EMScharts and I can pull up any patient that my department has transported before. It will show me history and meds (as of last transport). This works wonders for patients that are not able to tell EMS providers, not to mention the time saved. Specifically in IFT companies, it saves from writing recurring patients demographics and insurance info. Most dialysis patients generate 6 trips alone within one week.

Not all ePCR systems work like that. Take my system for example: if I do a paper PCR I can have that done in 5 minutes easily. With our ePCR system it takes me around 30 minutes to do 1.

Yeah it's good that it collects and gathers data. That is amazing for our CES and QA/QI department but it makes it a pain in the *** for the field crews. Our ePCRs can only be used by computers with the software installed (toughbooks). If our computer breaks or runs out of battery while we are writing a report we have to wait for that exact computer to be fixed before we can finish the ePCR or we will have to start a brand new ePCR.

 

[Handsome Robb]

I really like Eso. We use Health EMS right now and connectivity is a nightmare. I tested Zoll too but I wasn't a huge fan

 

[ZombieEMT]

Not all ePCR systems work like that. Take my system for example: if I do a paper PCR I can have that done in 5 minutes easily. With our ePCR system it takes me around 30 minutes to do 1.

Yeah it's good that it collects and gathers data. That is amazing for our CES and QA/QI department but it makes it a pain in the *** for the field crews. Our ePCRs can only be used by computers with the software installed (toughbooks). If our computer breaks or runs out of battery while we are writing a report we have to wait for that exact computer to be fixed before we can finish the ePCR or we will have to start a brand new ePCR.

But why does the ePCR take longer than the PCR? Its all about the information included in the paper PCR vs the ePCR. Sure you can finish the paper PCR in 5 minutes but it probably includes less information than the ePCR. When we switched from paper to ePCR, it takes longer because there are more fields. It helps to ensure that you don't miss documenting important things.

Is it a bad ting that it helps CES, QA/QI and billing? As a street provider, dont you want to be able to advance your skills and documentation. Both can go a long way.

 

[cruiseforever]

Road safety! .





Jk lol
CAD for sure

Road Safety has improved the ride in back of the rig.

 

[DesertMedic66]

But why does the ePCR take longer than the PCR? Its all about the information included in the paper PCR vs the ePCR. Sure you can finish the paper PCR in 5 minutes but it probably includes less information than the ePCR. When we switched from paper to ePCR, it takes longer because there are more fields. It helps to ensure that you don't miss documenting important things.

Is it a bad ting that it helps CES, QA/QI and billing? As a street provider, dont you want to be able to advance your skills and documentation. Both can go a long way.

There are drop down menus after more drop down menus. For C/C we don't have the option of typing it in. We have to choose from a list (which has horrible selections).

The only important thing the software looks for is the proper info to bill a patient.

With our current medical director, no skills are being added. He has been removing skills from the EMT and Medic level. Next year we have a new medical director but are also switching ePCR systems.