5 Steps to Choosing the Right EMS Software

Chuck McSweeneyChuck McSweeney, an active participant in EMS with over 25 years experience, took the time to sit down with Penn Care and discuss what he believes are the most important things to keep in mind when choosing an EMS software solution. As the Manager of Operations at the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services, Chuck learned the importance of educating agencies about compliance, employee management, and common business principles. After leaving OEMS, he started his own consulting business to pursue his passion for helping agencies understand the latest trends and best practices for the industry. Here are his tips on what it takes to make the right decision:

1. Keep Up to Date on the Latest Trends

If you are not in the arena of electronic medical records, you’re missing the boat. I remember just five to eight years ago walking all of the EMS trade show floors there were very few electronic patient care reporting systems available to EMS personnel. Today you can go to any trade show and see at least 20 different products and devices that promise to do everything that you want it to do. The largest trend that I am seeing in the past year is the movement to an ASP (application service provider) software model and SaaS (software-as-a-service) applications. With the advancement of technology, there is no longer any reason to buy tons of hardware. Web-based products save your bottom line. As for the next future development, there will be specific “apps” for the Android market and a greater focus on Mac products. You will also begin to see a shift of devices from Toughbooks to iPads.

2. Keep the End-User in Mind

There are so many things that must be taken into consideration. I believe that the ease of use and the functionality for your staff is the most important feature. Is it user friendly for the clinician working in the field on that cold rainy night? As a manager are you able to easily obtain data without a lot of manipulation to create reasonablen reports that are needed? Most importantly, can your medical director use the program to complete quality assurance activities and can that be accomplished in a realistic amount of time? There are so many variables that need to be evaluated as there is something out there for everyone.

3. Know What Holds You Back

In my opinion, the cost of some of these systems are what makes the project as a whole inaccessible. Every agency wants that shiny new piece of equipment like the ToughBook before anyone else has it. The majority of the time, however, these pricey pieces of equipment are not necessary for use of the software and actually take away from the actual focus on the electronic medical record. Outside of the expense of the hardware, I believe people are sold on a vision of what they want when it comes to the electronic medical record. You will hear, Our program does this and this and it’ll be everything that you need. Then you purchase the system and it actually doesn’t do what you are looking for. Once you have that happen to you, you will always be skeptical about promises. Any reputable company will allow you the time and access to their program for you to “play” within the system to see if it will meet your expectations.

4. Know What You Are Looking For

Take the time to evaluate different options and get input from your staff. Create a wish list of must-haves and identify the other extras that you would like to have and address the issue of items that will not apply to your use. Once you have a picture of your system in place, the evaluation will be easy.

5. Know Your Options

Evaluating products, asking questions, sampling the software with a group of employees will give you the best results. Seek their feedback! Employee involvement to a point will be the main reason why program implementation is a success or a failure.

A big thanks goes out to Chuck for taking time out of his schedule to give us feedback on what is hot in EMS software. Check him out on LinkedIn!

What other factors have you kept in mind that have helped you implement a cost effective, worthwhile EMS software solution? Please leave us a comment below we’d love to hear from you!

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