EMS Research

Course overview

Objectives. Discuss the practical use of research in EMS. Describe the scientific method and its use in EMS. List important organizations and how they affect and shape EMS. Content. I. National initiatives and resources that promote and enable EMS research. a. The Federal Interagency Committee on EMS FICEMS included data driven and evidence based EMS systems that promote improved patient care quality as a strategic goal published in 2014. b. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA supports the development of evidence based guidelines through standardization and improvement of EMS data collection using NEMSIS. c. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences coordinates EMS research efforts and promotes ideas for research funding and collaboration. II. Practical use of research in EMS. a. Ensures that care provided achieves the best and safest possible results and patient outcomes. i. Reference 37 CARES in Action. ii. Supported by evidence and expert experience. b. Demonstrates the value of EMS care through reportable outcomes. c. Improves working conditions with safety research focused on EMS providers. d. Encourages accurate and complete documentation. III. Describe the scientific method. a. Ask a question. b. Conduct a literature review to seek answers. c. Determine a hypothesis based on the literature review. d. Test the hypothesis. e. Analyze the data to prove or disprove the hypothesis and consider limitations. f. Report findings and discuss limitations. g. Repeat with adjustments or refine the hypothesis and begin again. Instructor Documents. National EMS Research Agenda 2001. Safety In Numbers EMS Data Is Important. CARES In Action.