Precision of Time Devices Used by Prehospital Providers

Abstract

Background. As many medical, medicolegal, andresearch interests have become more time-dependent, increased weight should be placed on the precision of time documentation andtiming devices. Studies have previously documented poor synchronization of timing devices in the medical setting. Objective. To determine whether any advancement has been made in prehospital time accuracy andto determine the timing devices used by today's emergency medical services (EMS) providers. Methods. Times recorded from the timing devices available for use during calls by local EMS providers, including watches, cellular phones, cardiac monitors/ defibrillators, ambulance clocks, andpublic safety answering points, were compared with atomic time to determine accuracy. Additionally, the preferred provider timing device, andaccuracy of said device, was obtained. Results. A total of 138 available timing devices were observed, with an accuracy of only 36.9%; cell phones had the best accuracy (67.7%). For the 53 providers surveyed, watches (64.2%) were found to be the most used timing device, followed by cell phones (24.5%) andambulance clocks (11.3%). Only 18 (34.0%) of these preferred devices were accurate when compared with atomic time. Conclusions. There is no precision or consistency in the timing devices used by EMS personnel. However, methods are available, such as those that support the cellular phone industry, that would help with consistent andprecise timekeeping. Utilization of modern technologies could increase precision in patient documentation anddecrease medical, medicolegal, andresearch issues relating to time documentation

Key words:

• emergency medical services
• time
• chronology
• documentation
• clocks
• accuracy