NEMSMA Position Statement and White Paper: Process and Outcomes Data Sharing between EMS and Receiving Hospitals

Abstract

Emergency Medical Services provider agencies and programs for systems of care for time-sensitive conditions in many communities and regions struggle with hospitals to obtain feedback data regarding patient outcomes and hospital processes relevant to EMS quality programs. EMS provider agencies also have issues in providing information to hospitals at the time of patient transfer to support continuity of care. The paper presents a position statement and supporting rationale from the National EMS Management Association on the bi-lateral exchange of data between EMS and hospitals. It examines the underlying issues and offers recommendations for how the various barriers to bi-lateral information exchange can be resolved.

Key words:

• emergency medical services
• quality management
• data exchange
• position statement