How can EMS quality indicators be used to measure EMS Performance?

The primary QI tool is the standardized EMS quality indicator. Methods for developing and using the indicators to measure EMS system performance are described in the following steps: STEP 1. Asking the Questions Gather all stakeholders together and begin by brainstorming questions about the system that the group would like answered.

What are EMS Performance Indicators?

Performance indicators are measurement tools that should be “specific, measurable, action oriented, relevant and timely” . Three types of indicators are used to measure quality in patient care: Structure, process and outcome indicators (Table 1) [16 – 19]. EMS system performance indicators follow the same classification. Table 1.

How to evaluate EMS system performance?

All reliable sources of information should be utilized in the evaluation of system performance. EMS organizations should also consider the use of hard copy review, collection check-sheets, customer surveys, direct observation, and skills simulation. Information systems should be designed to answer EMS system performance questions.

What is EMS quality improvement?

EMS System Quality Improvement (EMS-QI) - An organized and formal effort to continually achieve superior outcomes through ongoing evaluation of performance indicators by system users and providers within an organized EMS Health Delivery System. Effectiveness - How well a system is meeting an expressed objective or established benchmark.

Do emergency physicians and health care providers have quality initiatives in EMS?

This paper aims at introducing emergency physicians and health care providers to quality initiatives in EMS and serves as a reference for tools that EMS medical directors can use to launch new or modify existing quality control programs in their systems. 1. Background

What is the EMS Performance Measures Project?

The EMS Performance Measures Project, begun in 2002 and concluded in 2007, gives the Nation’s EMS community an additional tool to gauge and report various aspects of an EMS system including the environment in which EMS responds, the performance of emergency medical service (EMS) agencies, and the overall performance of local systems .