EMS Solution Description
The inefficiencies inherent in a paper-based system can be remedied by creating a paperless environment. An ePCR creates a professional appearing medical record that is legible for readers of the document. An ePCR system promotes the use of a spell checker and templates for creating a standard document to meet clinical, operational and billing requirements. The cost savings to the system as the ePCR data is pushed through the EMS documentation food chain can be staggering.

 What should you look for in an ePCR solution provider?
Several software and hardware solutions should be evaluated to determine the best solution to fit with your organization. Experience in deploying a proven solution and model of what is proposed is essential to make your project run smoothly.  Software should use an open-standards format. This allows the customer to choose the best individual components to match the needs of their agency. A hosted solution business model is a great way to minimize your investment into costly servers, system redundancy and maintenance costs. Let us handle the data center requirements. Total cost of ownership (TCO) is reduced over 2-5 years depending upon the choice of mobile hardware chosen for the system. A hosted model continually keeps your software updated to latest version and current standards. The life expectancy of system is limited to the use and abuse of mobile hardware – the software system continues to be upgraded to system subscribers.

State of the Art
The software should be based on current Windows operating systems tested at the business level. It should have the capability of interfacing with a patient monitoring device but understand the full cost to your agency. Alternative methods to collect EKG strips and other data exist. The system should be reliable – without a lot downtime. Downtime shouldn’t impact the ability for field providers to collect patient care information.

 User Interface
The graphical user interface (GUI) should follow the natural progression of the patient encounter. The system should continually improve based on feedback from users of the system and continuing to meet features contained within competitor’s software. The ability to modify lists and elements should be available without hindering the reporting requirements to billing, state and NEMSIS personnel and agencies.

Integration

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
MedicalDispatch™ is a computer aided dispatching software product specifically designed to handle the business and operations management needs of commercial ambulance providers, EMS units and wheelchair van service organizations. Developed by veterans in the ambulance industry, MedicalDispatch™ serves everything from high volume commercial ambulance services with more than 180 vehicles to local squads with 3 to 4 units.

Call Intake
MedicalDispatch™ is broken into two primary modules, Call Intake and Dispatch. The Call Intake module permits the service to provide selected program tools for its communications staff members who do not control vehicle movement instructions or contact with vehicles. The Call Intake module does not contain features triggering dispatch related events or tracking vehicle shifts. Service defined volume limits prevent overbooking with prescheduled calls. Features related to scheduling repetitive patients are included for repeating service requests such as dialysis patients or radiation therapy patients.

The new call data entry screen is a single page arranged to follow typical discussion flow with callers. The form is keyboard friendly with either the tab or enter key used to between fields. There are no tabs, popup windows or dialogs interrupting the flow and the entire from can be completed without ever touching the mouse.

Ported from DOS to Windows in 1996 and now to SQL, the software is stable and mature. The interface is designed with considerable input from real world operations staff with an emphasis on ease of use. The dispatcher's primary functions are right up front where they need them, while the lesser used items are generally just a right mouse click away. Most tasks can be accomplished with just one or two clicks, and never will you be confronted with a row of dozens of buttons. The system supports multiple ambulance stations, tracking trip sheets that are due from ambulance crews at the end of their shifts, multiple dispatchers and a complete reporting system required by many Operations Managers.

Dispatch
The Dispatch module is where the dispatcher will typically monitor and complete the majority of their tasks. It allows continuous monitoring of resources (vehicles) and demand (calls). Operations management staff would also use this view to monitor service performance in real time.

Dispatch presents it's information in three windows - Calls, Units, and Call Detail - that can be sized and positioned to suit the dispatcher's needs. All three windows are linked. Selecting a call also selects its assigned unit, and selecting a unit selects its call. The Call Detail window always shows the details for the selected call.

The Calls window is a filtered view of all calls of a selected status and/or in one or more selected service areas. Service area filters are optional and can be predefined, or created on the fly in seconds. New calls taken by other users appear in the appropriate dispatcher's view instantly. An intelligent system of color-coding highlights potential problems when there is still time to do something about it, and is designed to draw the dispatcher's attention where it's needed.

The Units window is where operations activity is tracked by unit/vehicle. Units are placed into service with specific field staff names and shifts. Events (activity progress audit stamps) can be triggered from this window or from the Calls window. A complete history of unit activity is available here, as well an (optional) automatically printed end of shift report listing the unit's activity for the day.

The Calls and Units windows are columnar views showing the most pertinent information for a number of items. The Call Detail window provides a more in- depth look at the information for the currently selected call.
 

Mobile Hot Spot
Med Media provides a highly integrated WiFi/3G rugged and mobile router to provide a communication pathway to the internet via a cellular air card. The device is conveniently sized and installs rapidly. The device utilizes the WPA scheme and offer secure wireless connectivity to subscribers. No client software is required for its use. The system is ideal to create a mobile office for agencies with multiple vehicles that infrequently make it back to a base station throughout the course of a typical day.

EMStat4™/ EMStat5™
Med Media’s EMStat 4™ combines the best features of a desktop and a mobile solution into one product. EMStat 4™ follows the progressive workflow of an EMS call and helps the user to complete patient care reporting and required data collection in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods and other stagnant electronic solutions. EMStat™ works offline or when connected to the internet.

EMStat 4™ utilizes the power of our WebCUR™ solution to automatically download updates and administrative changes each time the computer connects to the WebCUR™ system. PCR’s may be reviewed online for quality assurance. Standard administrative reports may be generated at the touch of a button and customized reports may be created by using our ad hoc query builder and exported to Excel. Additional virtual offices features such as text paging, calendaring, certification tracking and document storage are included in the system.

EMStat 4™ automates all functions in a manner that minimizes entry errors and effectively collects data required by the Department of Health and other Federal agencies. EMStat 4™ even employs visual and aural cues to indicate the absence of required data prior to closing a PCR. EMStat 4™ meets the requirements as defined by NHSTA 2.1 Silver compliance but is designed to meet specific requirements that vary from state to state.

MM Sig and Hospital Access to ePCR’s
The MM Sig module permits the agency to collect signatures from patients and professionals during transfer of care. The agency can create custom forms within the module that are unique to the organization. Paper documents, EKG strips, digital images and any other file type may be electronically attached to the PCR or Administrative view of the record. EMS personnel can electronically sign the PCR on a mobile or desktop computer. Once saved, the ePCR is stored in a .pdf format for portability. Receiving hospitals authorized for access in the WebCUR™ system can receive charts electronically.

Incoming Patient Notification
Data and information collected during the patient encounter may be entered into the mobile computer and can be wirelessly transmitted to the receiving hospital. This data is 128-bit encrypted and password protected. A quick report containing information such as age, sex, chief complaint, comments and estimated time of arrival are transmitted along with any data collected in the ePCR. The receiving facility is alerted to the incoming patient by a visual and aural cue. The data is available for the hospital staff.

Vehicle Rig Checks
Paper based vehicle check lists have inherent problems. A large volume of paper needs to be stored for operational and legal purposes. Searching for specifics on a specific vehicle, on a specific date and shift is manual and time consuming. Our vehicle rig check system automates this process. Alerts and SMS text messages will be transmitted to appropriate personnel for deficiencies and low inventory levels. Each entry is time and date stamped.

Performance Improvement (PI)
Med Media’s WebCUR™ system provides a robust set of tools to allow an agency to conduct quality assurance (QA), continuous quality improvement (CQI) or performance improvement measures into their current system. ePCR review may be conducted by peers, a team, managers and medical directors. Comments are entered with a date & time stamp and tracked electronically. Medical directors can review the ePCR from any web browser. This documentation is stored separately from the PCR. The feedback loop is closed by providing commentary back to the ePCR owner.

WebCUR™ Dashboard and Portal
Med Media’s WebCUR Dashboard Portal puts the necessary tools on one computer screen to maximize the productivity of EMS providers. Each user of the portal applet easily defines links to critical resources, news and other command and control information. Most importantly, the user may monitor system performance reports in real time while customizing the view to meet their individual and specific needs.

Administrative Reports
Managers and administrators may run reports of any type via WebCUR. Sixty standard reports are available to the user. A customized report can be developed through the ad-hoc query builder allowing the user to include any data point in the system. Additional filters can be established. Most reports may be exported to Excel.

Inventory Management
Our inventory solution is a vending machine device or locker access for supplies and equipment. The machine is connected to a network with internet access that provides immediate reporting capabilities to individuals responsible for maintaining supplies. This unique solution helps to address today's challenges of controlling your pharmacy access, tracking inventory and dispensing products according to access protocol. The system is designed to dispense pharmaceuticals via a controlled dispensing process. The system will verify multiple forms of ID and will prompt for station or dispatch specific data. All withdrawals are catalogued and regulated by professional clearance/training level. Aggregated dispensing history, alerts for low stock position, expiring product and pick lists for restocking are all available online via your secure login. This information can be printed or exported for your use with other software systems.

WebBill™
WebBill™ creates a bridge between our WebCUR™ data repository and the most popular billing software applications on the market today. WebBill™  automates the billing process for single or batch processing. Formats for the data transfer are set by third party billing software vendors. WebBill™ gives the agency the flexibility of in house billing or outsourcing to billing service providers.

Hospital Status
Hospital status is a resource management tool to communicate bed and service availability. Patient information collected during a patient encounter may be transmitted via an encrypted message to the receiving hospital virtually eliminating the need for radio communication. The hospital status system will also show bed availability when a disaster situation is declared. On-scene incident commanders are able to determine capacity of each hospital.

Public Safety Incident Management™
The Public Safety Incident Management System™ (PSIM™) is a combination of software and hardware solutions designed to track patients and their care during special events, fire scene rehabilitation, mass inoculation or catastrophic incidents. Patient flow through triage, treatment and transportation is able to be collected and transmitted to an on-scene command console through a deployable wireless radio system. Access to on-scene information is available to appropriate agencies with access such as emergency management and operation centers and hospitals.

System Maintenance and Technical Support
Med Media, Inc. offers full technical support through our maintenance agreements that include software updates. Technicians are available via telephone, online chat or email and have remote connection capabilities.

Disaster Recovery
All Patient Care Report information is stored on secured database servers. These servers are Dell server class machines (Dell Power Edge Servers). There are several database backup server systems that load balance all of the states supported by Med Media. A full database archive is done once daily in the early AM. Incremental database archives are done every 20 minutes and subsequently mirrored to a remote, off-site storage location. These real-time backups are done to other secured systems on the network and the initial storage medium is a series of removable, large capacity hard drives. Secondly, there is a secured offsite storage facility that is updated with these backups every 30 minutes. In addition to this, once a month, the entire backup cycle is written out to Recordable DVD disks and these are stored offsite with one set a quarter being kept as an archival set.