Re: Digest for state-trauma-registry-programs-usergroup@googlegroups.com - 3 Messages in 1 Topic

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John F Kutcher

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Oct 14, 2012, 10:23:20 AM10/14/12

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Hi Ashley / All --

Another aspect to keep in mind is "Interoperability" -- i.e., the ability to "connect" multiple Trauma and EMS vendor products. "Single vendor" solutions for Trauma and EMS do exist, and these can be provided by vendors that provide both Trauma and offerings (such as Digital Innovation, Lancet, ImageTrend). However, often, especially in a State setting, there will be multiple ePCR products that could be in use locally with EMS agencies -- and multiple Trauma Registry products that could be in use locally at trauma centers. "Connecting" all of these together provides the most complete solution, since it is nearly often impractical to have every trauma center or every EMS agency adopt whatever system(s) a given State puts in place.

So the best results can come from a combination of "integrated" offerings and "interoperability" solutions. Some examples:

In Kansas, there is a connection between local installations of DI Collector at the KS trauma centers with the ImageTrend EMS system in Kansas, called KEMSIS
In North Carolina, there is a connection between local installation of NTRACS at NC centers with the state EMS system in North Carolina, called PreMIS

"Interoperable" solutions have the benefit of allowing ePCR information to reach the existing local trauma registries installed at major trauma centers. The technology and data exchange standards exist to allow Registrars to electronically lookup, link, and auto-fill ePCR/EMS information into their trauma registry pre-hospital data sections. The resulting information is then "linked", so when trauma registry data is centralized at a state, the linkage exists between trauma records and EMS records. This allows the critical "outcome data" loop to be completed, since hospital outcome data can be tied back to the relevant ePCR's.

The product that Digital Innovation provides to "connect" multiple systems together is called the Continuum of Care Server (CCS). The CCS is used in the KS and NC examples above, to name a few. The CCS has "adapters" that can allow it to be connected to any NEMSIS EMS system and to a trauma registry system. CCS adapters have been implemented with multiple EMS products (such as ImageTrend, emsCharts) and multiple Trauma products (such as Collector, NTRACS), to enable integration of data. New adapters can be developed as needed with any interested products and vendors.

So, bottom line. As one formulates a vision of an "Integrated Trauma and EMS Solution" it is also a good idea to broaden the meaning of "integrated" to include not only the users of a centralized web-based solution, but also the many local installations of EMS agency software and trauma registry software. National standards and technology advancements have enabled this new breed of integrated solutions - that allows all of these independent solutions to be tied together. This is important for a State, since putting in a single vendor solution, regardless of Vendor, still leaves open the "interoperability" question for agencies and hospitals who have existing solutions with which they likely will continue to need and use.

Best Regards, John

Notice: This e-mail, including attachments, is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. ?? 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, and delete it. Thank you.

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