Data Collection
Pre-Hospital Data Collection OverviewThe Bureau of EMS will be transitioning from aggregate data collection to incident level data collection. Sufficient data does not exist to define Emergency Medical Services at either the state or national level. Today, the lack of this data makes is difficult even to describe EMS as a profession. Florida's EMS system does not have sufficient information to drive performance improvement initiatives or evidence based decision making. The Florida EMS Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS) project is undertaken to provide incident level patient care reporting for submittal to the Florida Bureau of EMS and the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) databases. EMSTARS, Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System, will be Floridas online prehospital information
source. For more information please visit EMSTARS Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Approach for Data Collection and Reporting In November 2005, the Bureau of EMS started developing requirements for a new EMS database that will capture and report on incident level prehospital data in accordance with the NHTSA 2.2.1 dataset and NEMSIS reporting requirements. The business analyst and developer for EMSTARS worked with bureau staff on validating and revising the business processes that the system must support, created a project plan and timeline for the project, and defined functional requirements for the system. Input and feedback from the EMS providers and other interested parties was an integral part of the system design. The data project staff visited 11 different cities across the state in February and March 2006. Locations were selected in an effort to allow providers to travel and participate in one day. Aggregate Data Reporting:
Aggregate
Pre-Hospital Quarterly Report Form Instruction Manual for the: EMS Provider Profile Information Form and Aggregate
Pre-Hospital Report Form (DH 1304)
Currently, the Florida EMS Aggregate Pre-Hospital Data Collection and Reporting System is the Bureau's platform for collecting quarterly aggregate data from licensed Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers. The purpose of the system is to provide a mechanism by which EMS providers can enter data related to the services they perform, to capture that data, and to serve as an information resource. The Florida Aggregate Pre-Hospital Data Collection and Reporting System is WEB-based and can be accessed as an authorized user for data entry purposes or by the public for review purposes. The data unit provides assistance in guiding and educating the EMS
providers on the data collection reporting process, monitors and tracks the
data for compliance, and reviews the data for quality. Data reports are
available to the public on the Department of Health's website or by visiting: Notice of Change in Aggregate Pre-hospital ReportingChanges:Effective with the data submission for the second quarter 2005, EMS provider agencies are no longer required to include the following DH Form 1304 data elements to meet the submission criteria for aggregate prehospital data reporting:
The Florida Prehospital Data Collection and Reporting System will not be modified from the current data entry and submission routines. Providers that wish to continue reporting these data elements may do so. Provider agencies that do not report Total Staff Hours Worked must enter zero (0) hours for each of the three categories (EMTs, Paramedics, and Other) in order for the system to accept the report. No Change:Agencies are required to continue reporting the following data elements:
NOTE: Provider agencies that do not transport patients to their final destination will continue reporting as usual with the exception of Total Staff Hours Worked. Such providers must enter zero (0) hours for each of the three categories (EMTs, Paramedics, and Other) in order for the system to accept the report. Future Data InitiativesThe goal of the
NEMSIS In September 2004, the Florida Bureau of EMS signed the NEMSIS
Memorandum of Agreement to support and promote the NEMSIS business
model (National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations Uniform
Prehospital Dataset). Fifty-two states and territorial EMS offices
have signed the
Memorandum of Understanding NHTSA
Version 2.2.1 dataset In 2005, NEMSIS began conducting a pilot project of the National
EMS Database with Mississippi, North Carolina, and other states. The
pilot national EMS database will be migrated into a limited live
implementation; by the end of 2006, a minimum of 5 additional states
will be reporting the national data elements to the national EMS
database. Formal national database reports will be developed. Florida EMS Provider Agency Survey - Summary ReportThe Bureau of EMS is planning for a statewide EMS data system to collect incident level data. The Bureau surveyed the Florida EMS provider agencies to evaluate the technical and reporting capabilities and plan for future data reporting needs. A summary report of the survey responses has been compiled and can be accessed through the link provided below. Survey Summary Report Florida Data System Development Planning Workshop
The Bureau of EMS invited
NEDARC The focus of the Data System Development/Improvement Planning workshop was on identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) associated with EMS data collection within Florida. A broad and diverse group participated to ensure that all viewpoints would be considered. A representative for each of the following groups was present at the workshop: Provider BLS, Provider ALS, Provider AIR, Rural EMS Agency, Urban EMS Agency, Florida Fire Chiefs Association, EMS Quality Managers Association, EMS Instructor, Patient Advocate, EMS Director, EMS Data Manager, EMS Medical Director, EMSC Coordinator, Trauma Planning Manager, and Injury Prevention/Epidemiologist. Representatives for the following groups were unable to attend: Office of Highway Traffic Safety, Florida Association of Professional EMTs and Paramedics, Hospitals, and Florida Fire Fighters Association. Data Collection LinksNEMSIS The National Association of State EMS Directors is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Trauma/EMS Systems program of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to develop a national EMS database. The uses of such a database include:
The NEMSIS grant is an ongoing project with the following tasks:
NEDARC NEDARC assists EMSC grantees and state EMS offices develop and
improve their capabilities to collect, analyze, and utilize EMS and
other healthcare data to improve the quality of care in state EMS and
trauma systems. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Vendor ListThe Bureau of EMS DOES NOT ENDORSE, RECOMMEND, OR SUGGEST ANY SPECIFIC EMS DATA COLLECTION SOFTWARE OR FORMS. However, due to the requests for information related to vendor products, we have assembled a vendor list, which is available upon request. The products are not reviewed by the bureau to determine compliance to the Florida Aggregate Pre-Hospital Data Collection and Reporting requirements. If a vendor would like to request that their information be placed (or removed) from the list they may do so by contacting the Data Unit at (850) 245-4440 or send an email to EMSDATA@doh.state.fl.us. Contact InformationIf you need assistance or have questions regarding prehospital data, please contact the Data Unit at (850) 245-4440 or send an email to EMSDATA@doh.state.fl.us. |
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