LifeCare Ambulance Technology

Technology has become a very crucial part in the world of EMS and LifeCare has become one of the premier services to utilize new technology to its fullest potential. Now with the ability to use data in many different ways, we have the means to turn every ambulance and wheelchair van into a node on a large network. Our electronic reporting system operates at the edge of technology and we are quite possibly the only EMS service in Ohio, public or private, with this level of data integration.

LifeCare began its path to data integration in the late 90's with a system called Westech, a DOS based EMS reporting system out of Vancouver. At the time, this was the best reporting system available. We soon followed with the adaptation of "RightCAD", through Pinpoint Technologies (soon to become Zoll Data Systems). RightCAD became our first true step into a larger world of data technology.

After a year with RightCAD, it became obvious that the Westech billing system was overdue for an upgrade. We began to look at the complete array of components that Pinpoint Technologies was beginning to offer. RightCAD Sanitas became the next piece of the puzzle to enter into LifeCare's realm. This was truly a system that offered an easy integrated transition between RightCAD dispatch operations and the new Sanitas billing software. There was still one problem...the Westech reporting software still needed to be imported into the system, which was very impractical and time consuming.

During this world of change, two incredibly bright Westech engineers took a hiatus and developed a way to make dispatch computers talk with data collection systems in the field. Their system made it possible to connect very high-powered dispatch systems straight into CE computers installed in the vehicles. This was a very cost effective way to run data, patient information, address information and past medical histories seamlessly over wireless internet connections. This "Nomad" system provided integration between RightCAD and the Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) in the vehicles. It also allowed the vehicles location to be sent back to the dispatch computers, completely interfacing with dispatch mapping software. This technology now gave the dispatch center the ability to detail the closest vehicle in any given situation.

ZOLL Medical (a manufacturer of defibrillators popular in EMS) saw a good thing and got their hands on Westech. Their thought was to link their "Code Summary" (all the treatment information stored in the defibrillators) straight into the Westech computers. This concept was taken a step further in the following years with the creation of ZOLL Data Systems RescueNet software. This was a merger between Zoll Data (Westech) and Pinpoint Technologies. Bringing both these programs under one roof opened tremendous opportunities for future developments in data integration, since sharing a database is more desirable then importing and exporting across different platforms.

One critical piece in the integration link was the outdated field data software still being used on Fujitsu 1200 tablets in the ambulances. This was the final lingering piece of Westech based software still being used at LifeCare Ambulance. In 2003 the change was made to the RescueNet Pocket PCR software which was used on a handheld device (Toughbook 01). This finally allowed a complete data transfer from the RescueNet Dispatch software to RescueNet Nomad. The crew could complete their run report on the Pocket PCR software which was then downloaded directly back to RescueNet Billing (wirelessly). The integration cycle was now complete from beginning to end. This system is still currently in place except for a recent upgrade to Tablet PCR which is run on full size Panasonic Toughbook CE-18. This is a rugged piece of equipment that allows the crews to use a full size laptop for easier reporting.

Either we did something right when we chose these products, or we are just plain lucky. The complete line of Zoll products has allowed LifeCare to be an industry leader in EMS. Currently we are one of the most technologically advanced EMS systems in the State of Ohio. We use the Zoll "E-Series" 12 lead monitors, which can allow a 12 lead to be transmitted wirelessly to the receiving Emergency Department. This is a vital tool which now allows a patient to potentially bypass the E/R and go directly to the Cath Lab for expedited treatment. This is why LifeCare will continue to benchmark the standards of care that technology provides. Data integration has changed the face of EMS and LifeCare will always be on the forefront of this exciting future.