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EMS Systems Change in Montana

• Crystelle Fogle, Health Services Specialist, Montana Department of Public Health and
  Human Services, Cardiovascular Health Program (moderator)
• Carrie Oser, Epidemiologist, Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services
• Joseph Russell, NREMT-P, Great Falls Fire and Rescue, Montana

Objective/Supporting Skills and Knowledge

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• List the key factors for consideration when developing a systems change with an EMS component
• Identify useful techniques and tools for planning and implementing a multi-level systems change involving many partners

Summary

In 2003, Montana ’s DPHHS Cardiovascular Program became a partner with Benefis Healthcare and the City of Great Falls Fire and Rescue to implement a systems change to increase use of a pre-hospital stroke protocol to quickly identify stroke patients.  This may enable the stroke patients to receive timely tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment if appropriate. The systems change utilized a policy/educational change to institute the consistent application of a standard stroke protocol by EMS first responders in the Great Falls area. The health communication intervention was intended to increase residents' awareness of stroke signs and symptoms and the need to call 911. This session will present the results and lessons learned for the first year of the systems change and the current status of the second year’s implementation of the health communication intervention.

Session Materials

• Presentations - EMS Systems Change in Montana (pdf)
• Handout - EMS Systems (pdf)