UNIT VI STUDY GUIDE Emergency Medical Services Systems

UNIT VI STUDY GUIDEEmergency Medical Services Systemsand Quality ImprovementLearning ObjectivesReadingAssignmentChapter 13:EMS Quality ManagementChapter 16:Data Collection and EMSResearchSupplementalReadingSee information below.Learning Activities(Non-Graded)See information below.Key Terms1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.BenchmarkingClinical researchDataExperimental designMixed methodPDCA cyclePerformance measureQualitativeQuality assurance(QA)Quality control (QC)Quality improvement(QI)Quality indicatorsQuantitativeReliabilityValidityUpon completion of this unit, students should be able to:1. Explain the activities and techniques that are part of qualitymeasurement, quality assurance (QA), and quality improvement (QI)programs/initiatives.2. Elaborate on the importance of performance indicators as they relate toEMS operations and QI.3. Discuss the importance of developing a comprehensive QI program andthe components necessary for implementation.4. Identify various types of research and research methodologies.5. Determine the importance of research as it relates to EMS operationsand the delivery of pre-hospital care.6. Explain the relationship between ethics and EMS research.7. Analyze the relationship between EMS research data collection andQI initiatives.Written Lecture“Currently, EMS is being placed under the microscope to prove thatwhat we do makes a difference. Some EMS providers see this as anobstacle. I see this as a challenge and opportunity. We should all beopen to scrutiny. If you are a true believer in EMS, then take thisopportunity to unequivocally prove that we do make a difference”—Baxter Larmon, Ph.D., MICPProfessor of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Director, PrehospitalCare Research Forum at UCLAUnit VI explores topics that are of increasing, substantial importance toemergency medical service systems, as well as programs that are largelyconceived, constructed, implemented, and monitored at management levels:EMS quality management, data collection, and EMS based research.As previously discussed regarding finance, EMS is increasingly being held tohigher and higher standards with regards to the efficiency and efficacy of thepre-hospital care that it provides. This is not only important in terms of ensuringthat EMS organizations operate in a manner compliant with all applicableregulations and laws and provide a recognized and regarded service that is of avalue to the community and stakeholders they serve but also in terms of the wayEMS organizations will be compensated for the services they provide. Asdiscussed in the lecture for Unit III, one such way that this will eventually impactEMS organizations, as it has started to with hospitals and healthcare providers,is through the implementation of outcome measure based reimbursement. Justas hospitals across the United States are already facing reduced, or sometimeszero, reimbursement for procedures and care that are not clinically indicated orare a result of injury or illness acquired during their stays, so too might EMSorganizations eventually see this shift in their ability to bill for certainEMS 3301, Emergency Medical Services Management1interventions or obtain reimbursement for interventions that were deemedunnecessary or related to errors in diagnosis or care, outside of predeterminedresponse times, and any number of other metrics. It is in this vein that EMSquality management, data collection, and EMS based research are an area ofincreasing importance to EMS agencies.So how can EMS organizations get in front of the curve? First, they can embracewhat might become an inevitable shift in the way they do business. However,that does not mean that they should simply submit. Indeed, who is in a betterposition to collect data and perform research aimed at increasing both EMSefficiencies and outcomes than EMS agencies themselves? Furthermore,collectively, armed with reams of data and volumes of research to strengthentheir position, EMS organizations can position themselves at the leading edge ofthe debate and legislation that will affect their industry.It is in this respect that every EMS managers should begin to become intimatelyfamiliar with the processes of EMS quality management, data collection, andEMS based research in order to proactively position their organizations for theroad that lies ahead. In doing so, they will not only effect the changes that will benecessary to ensure that they continue to be adequately compensated for thevaluable services that they perform, but they will also become a better providerof essential pre-hospital services and a better, stronger organization.ReferenceEvans, B.E., & Dyar, J.T. (2009). Management of EMS. Upper Saddle River, NJ:Prentice Hall.Supplemental ReadingClick here to access a PDF of the Chapter 13 Presentation.Click here to access a PDF of the Chapter 16 Presentation.Locate and read the following articles:Bauter, R. (2010, October 8). Building quality QA system. Retrieved fromhttp://www.emsworld.comHayes, J. (July 1, 2010). Quality improvement part 1: Retrospective review.Retrieved from http://www.emsworld.comHayes, J. (2010, August 2). Quality improvement part 2: Concurrent review.Retrieved from http://www.emsworld.comHayes, J. (2010, September 1). Quality improvement part 3: Prospective review.Retrieved from http://www.emsworld.comStaff. (2010, August 19). The DIEMS project. Retrieved fromhttp://www.emsworld.com/EMS 3301, Emergency Medical Services Management2Learning Activities (Non-Graded)Reflection PaperFor this activity, you are asked to reflect on the concepts covered in the ReadingAssignment and the Written Lecture and write about them. What did youunderstand completely? What did not quite make sense? The purpose of thisactivity is to provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the material youfinished reading and to expand upon those thoughts. If you are unclear about aconcept, this will give you a chance to write those questions down and emailthem to your professor for feedback. Can you apply the concepts you learned inthis unit toward your career? How?This is not a summary but is instead a chance for you to express your thoughtsabout the material learned in this unit by writing about it.The Reflection Paper should meet the following requirements:Be at least one pageContain your thoughts about the material and its value to you personallyContain any questions you may have concerning the materialFormat your writing using APA style. Because this is not a graded assignment, itdoes not need to be submitted. This activity was designed to allow you anopportunity to put your thoughts down on paper so you can determine whatconcepts still may be foreign to you and give you a chance to ask your professorany questions you may have.EMS 3301, Emergency Medical Services Management3