In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence welcomes back data and EMS expert Mike Taigman for a deep dive into the evolving role of performance metrics in EMS systems.
Together, they discuss two key publications 鈥� by Kupas and Zavadsky, et al., and the White Paper from the National EMS Quality Alliance in Collaboration with FirstWatch, titled,
Lawrence and Taigman explore how data informs change, improves clinical outcomes and drives leadership decisions. Whether you鈥檙e a seasoned leader or new to the field, this conversation provides essential insights into how EMS organizations can better utilize data to elevate their services.
|More: 16 EMS groups publish joint statement on EMS performance metrics
Notable quotes
- 鈥淭here is an old Palestinian proverb 鈥� 鈥榊ou cannot fatten the cow by weighing it.鈥� Measurement alone doesn鈥檛 change anything; you have to take action.鈥� 鈥� Mike Taigman
- 鈥淛ust because yesterday was a bad day, doesn鈥檛 mean the sky is falling in.鈥� 鈥� Rob Lawrence
- 鈥淭his paper is what good looks like. It defines what good EMS performance looks like, and it evolves as the science evolves.鈥� 鈥� Mike Taigman
Episode contents
00:16 鈥� Lawrence introduces the theme of data and performance metrics in EMS
01:15 鈥� Lawrence introduces guest Mike Taigman and recaps the recent EMS performance measure position statement
03:10 鈥� Discussion of the construction of the joint position paper on EMS performance measures
04:02 鈥� Taigman provides a historical overview of EMS performance metrics, starting with Jack Stout鈥檚 public utility model in the 1980s
07:12 鈥� Lawrence and Taigman discuss evolving metrics, from response times, to clinical outcomes, like cardiac arrest survival and STEMI measures
10:56 鈥� Taigman explains the role of process measures in driving improved outcomes
12:48 鈥� Discussion of new RFPs in California and beyond, incorporating clinical outcome measures into EMS contracts
18:32 鈥� Lawrence shares insights from his attendance at the Real-Time Crime Center Conference and how real-time data is increasingly integrated into EMS
19:03 鈥� Taigman introduces the work of the National EMS Quality Alliance (NEMSQA) and its role in defining clinical performance metrics
21:59 鈥� Taigman outlines the importance of performance measures and how they are used to define and improve EMS systems
28:04 鈥� Discussion on statistical process control and how to identify trends in data over time
30:23 鈥� Lawrence emphasizes the importance of using data to take action, not just to collect it
33:27 鈥� Lawrence and Taigman discuss data visualization and how it helps leaders understand trends and make informed decisions
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Mike Taigman uses more than four decades of experience to help EMS leaders and field personnel improve the care/service they provide to patients and their communities. Mike is the Improvement Guide for , a company which provides near-real time monitoring and analysis of data along with performance improvement coaching for EMS agencies.
He teaches Improvement Science in the Master鈥檚 in Healthcare Administration and Interprofessional Leadership at the University of California San Francisco and the Emergency Health Services Management Graduate Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
RESOURCES
- 鈥� The National EMS Quality Alliance (NEMSQA) and FirstWatch
- 鈥� Douglas F. Kupas, Matt Zavadsky, Brooke Burton, Chip Decker, Robert Dunne, Peter Dworsky, Richard Ferron, Joseph Grover, Daniel Gerard, Joseph House, Jeff Jarvis, Sheree Murphy, Jerry Overton, Michael Redlener, George Solomon, Andrew Stephen, Randy Strozyk, Marv Trimble, Thomas Wieczorek, Kathryn Wise
- Measuring how well we are doing 鈥� Matt Zavadsky on performance measure recommendations that prioritize quality over response times 鈥� 草莓影视, EMS One-Stop with Rob Lawrence
- Redefining EMS success: A fire chief鈥檚 take on EMS performance metrics 鈥� Chief Brian Schaeffer
