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Community EMS Embraces Technology To Improve Patient Care

Southfield, Mich., July 13, 2007 - Community EMS (CEMS) and Parastar, Inc., both of Southfield, MI., have teamed together to launch a state-of-the-art electronic patient care reporting system (ePCR).  Community EMS is the largest not-for-profit emergency medical service provider in Southeast Michigan with 7 business units in Michigan, Ohio and Texas. Parastar is a national EMS management, consulting and billing firm. 

Community EMS is rolling out the Zoll RescueNet TabletPCR software. The launch of the ePCR system allows EMTs and paramedics to document patient run information in a more rapid, accurate, and legible manner. Parastar Inc. of Southfield, MI has assisted Community EMS with oversight and the implementation of the ePCR system, Zoll’s RescueNet Dispatch system and Zoll’s RescueNet Billing system.

The Zoll software suite works as an integrated data management solution to the industry specific issues that many EMS organizations face. Community EMS and its joint venture companies will now have all facets of a patient care record stored as individual datasets within a single database. One of the many benefits to electronic patient charting include the ability to extract this data into multiple reports that can be utilized for retrospective quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives. For example, EMS managers can run reports on invasive skills such as intubations or IV procedures and trend success rates to support future training module for continuing education.

“Utilizing ePCR technology is another example of how Community EMS and its affiliates have become leaders in the use of cutting-edge technology in the EMS industry. Being able to leverage technology to provide the highest quality of care is very important to the mission of our organization. In addition, we are able to exceed best practice in documentation standards by ensuring that all run reports are designed to electronically prompt and capture any necessary information that is required to support the patient care delivered based on local medical control protocols and billing compliance regulations.” states Jamey Baker, Vice President of Operations for Parastar Inc.

Parastar has seen great success in previous rollouts in Michigan and Ohio.  CEMS currently has 15 ePCR units in the field and expects to have all ambulances equipped by August 1, 2007.  Parastar expects that all of Community EMS’s joint ventures in Michigan, Ohio and Texas will have fully operational ePCR systems by the end of the third quarter of this year. Parastar is currently assisting with the implementation of ePCRs and providing billing services for fire departments as well, improving the level of emergency care.