You might not think about Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on a daily basis, but when the seconds count and lives hang in the balance, EMS are the heroes rushing to the scene. These dedicated professionals are a lifeline for our communities, providing critical care in the most urgent moments.
In Vermont, EMS is composed of nearly 170 ambulance and first responder agencies supported by approximately 3,000 licensed EMS practitioners. From addressing minor medical concerns to handling critical situations like cardiac arrests and severe trauma from accidents, the scope of EMS services is extensive and important.
What you may not know is that in critical moments, access to a person’s medical record can be an essential component of the care EMS provides.
Here are three things you want to know about how having access to health information factors into how EMS cares for local Vermonters.
What does “health information sharing” mean?
The health information part of “health information sharing” is your patient record. This includes basic information such as a person’s name, age, and birthdate as well as medications, allergies, and medical history from the hospitals, health centers, practices, pharmacies, and labs they’ve visited in Vermont. Together, this information is all part of your medical history available to providers and other authorized team members at the organizations where Vermonters receive health care — including EMS agencies.
The sharing of this information is made possible by a nonprofit organization called VITL. VITL securely collects and organizes patient health data to deliver a more complete health record for each Vermonter. Through VITL, EMS services have access to the most up-to-date information in a secure clinical portal.
Health data elevates emergency response care
Vermont’s EMS agencies have embraced using new technology to support their emergency care. Thanks to patient data shared through VITL, EMS squads obtain crucial patient insights both during an emergency and after, elevating their ability to provide effective and informed medical assistance.
Timely access to this data is particularly important in an emergency. For example, if a person is unable to give their information to EMS providers, care teams can retrieve important details within seconds thanks to health data sharing, flagging medication interactions or relevant medical conditions that could impact care.
Real-time information enhances emergency treatment
Access to a person’s health data in real time during an emergency helps EMS not only determine the appropriate care, but also helps them decide if a person needs to go to the hospital or if other specialized services are required. These insights also have other benefits: They can help people avert costly hospital stays and unnecessary medical tests.
Timely access to a person’s health data helps EMS find the right solution at the right time. For example, does this person who called an ambulance and is acting confused have a history of dementia, or is their blood sugar low? Access to a person’s health history provides a clearer picture of what may be happening with that patient, helping EMS figure out the best form of care at that moment.
Health data supports quality improvement
EMS squads around the state are dedicated to improving care with every call. VITL data provides important insights into the outcomes of the emergency care they provide. EMS Training Officers can access VITL information about the diagnosis and treatment that their patient received in the emergency department, after a transition of care. Reviewing this information together with the team of EMS providers who supported that individual can help them assess the efficacy of the emergency care they provided, offering important insights and learning to support ongoing quality improvement.
Helping first responders better help Vermonters
The sharing of health data has emerged as a powerful tool in helping EMS provide optimal care in high-pressure situations. When every second counts, access to accurate and comprehensive health information can significantly improve decision-making and outcomes. Embracing this technology helps support the highest standard of emergency response, underscoring the critical role of data in modern health care. If you want to learn more about your options for how VITL shares your health data with EMS services and other health care providers, there is information on vitl.net/sharing. The VITL team is also available to talk with you and answer questions about health information sharing Monday–Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. VITL’s toll-free number is 1-888-980-1243.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Did you know health data helps EMS providers in Vermont?.