Strengthening the EMS System: EMS Surveys and Using Data to Improve EMS Systems of Care

Ishmael Williams, MA, CDC/DHDSP – CDC EMS Survey Overview (and moderator)
Jill Birnbaum, JD, American Heart Association, National Advocacy Department, – AHA EMS Survey Overview
Paj Nandi, MPH, Washington State Department of Health - Washington Experience
Cherish Hart, MA, American Heart Association, Washington - Washington Experience

Session Objective

The objectives for this session are to:

Understand the usefulness of EMS surveys.
Become familiar with the purpose and data elements of the CDC and AHA EMS surveys.
Understand the strengths and weaknesses of EMS systems related to heart disease and stroke which can be identified through EMS surveys.
Understand how data from surveys can be used to improve EMS systems, and can assist with making programmatic and policy decisions.
Hear an example of how one state (Maryland) is using data to strengthen and improve EMS systems of care.

Session Summary

EMS systems play a vital role in the care of patients with heart disease and stroke. EMS surveys can provide detailed information about EMS systems, including type of EMS organizations, access to expert medical care facilities, scope of pre-hospital EMS practice for heart attack and stroke, extent of medical direction, and EMS field practice protocols. The purpose of this workshop is to provide State Program staff with information about EMS surveys and how they can be used for public health.

The session begins with a presentation by CDC and AHA outlining their EMS surveys, including the purpose of the survey and data elements. The speakers address how these surveys can highlight some of the strengths and weaknesses of the EMS system.

Following the survey presentation, a state example is presented (Maryland). This presentation discusses how they have used EMS data to strengthen and improve EMS systems, and assist with making programmatic and policy decisions.

The presentations are followed by an interactive discussion between the speakers and the workshop participants.

This interactive session is intended to allow state participants to collaborate on issues about EMS systems of care and the use of EMS surveys and data to improve these systems. Participation from the audience is highly encouraged.

This interactive session addresses the following questions/topics plus additional questions from the audience:

How can this information be used to strengthen EMS systems of care in the participants’ state?
How can weaknesses and challenges of EMS systems of care be addressed?
How can data from the EMS surveys be used for quality improvement and addressing health disparities?
How can EMS data be used to affect programmatic and policy decisions?
How can state HDSP programs foster better relationships with EMS?