Physician Medical Direction andClinical Performance at an Established Emergency Medical Services System

Abstract

Objective. Few developed emergency medical services (EMS) systems operate without dedicated medical direction. We describe the experience of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) EMS, which in 2007 first engaged an EMS medical director to develop andimplement medical direction andquality assurance programs. We report subsequent changes to system performance over time. Methods. Over one year, changes to the service's clinical infrastructure were made: Policies were revised, paramedic scopes of practice were adjusted, evidence-based clinical protocols were developed, andskills maintenance andeducation programs were implemented. Credentialing, physician chart auditing, clinical remediation, andonline medical command/hospital notification systems were introduced. Results. Following these interventions, we report associated improvements to key indicators: Chart reviews revealed significant improvements in clinical quality. A comparison of pre- andpost-intervention audited charts reveals a decrease in cases requiring remediation (11% to 5%, odds ratio [OR] 0.43 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.85], p = 0.01). The proportion of charts rated as clinically acceptable rose from 48% to 84% (OR 6 [95% CI 3.9–9.1], p < 0.001). The proportion of misplaced endotracheal tubes fell (3.8% baseline to 0.6%, OR 0.16 [95% CI 0.004–1.06], (exact) p = 0.05), corresponding to improved adherence to an airway placement policy mandating use of airway confirmation devices andsecuring devices (0.7% compliance to 98%, OR 714 [95% CI 64–29,334], (exact) p < 0.001). Intravenous catheter insertion in unstable cases increased from 67% of cases to 92% (OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.09–1.71], p = 0.004). EMS administration of aspirin to patients with suspected ischemic chest pain improved from 2% to 77% (OR 178 [95% CI 35–1,604], p < 0.001). Conclusions. We suggest that implementation of a physician medical direction is associated with improved clinical indicators andoverall quality of care at an established EMS system

Key words:

• emergency medical services
• physician's role
• medical direction
• quality assurance
• health care
• Qatar