From Two hours to Two Seconds: Using the Red Cross Red Crescent Health Information System (RCHIS) to Complete the WHO Emergency Medical Teams - Minimum Data Set Reporting

Abstract

Introduction:

Standardization of data collection and reporting within EMT’s is challenging. In past deployments, the Red Cross Red Crescent Type one and two facilities (Emergency Response Units- ERU’s) have collected data by hand using paper-based form and Excel spreadsheets. This process can be laborious, time consuming and often inaccurate.

Method:

RCHIS is both an electronic medical record (EMR) and health information system (HIS). RCHIS has been designed to produce pre-made reports including the MDS in seconds extracting data from the patient records. Through significant testing and pilot deployments in a domestic type one fixed clinic, the rapid production of reports such as the MDS has increased compliance and accuracy with reporting.

Results:

The utilization of an EMR and integrated HIS system for increasing compliance and accuracy with the MDS has been hugely successful. An in-depth analysis of the export data was done to confirm the 100% accuracy within the MDS report.

Furthermore, feedback from users and managers within the ERU’s expressed the excitement for the ease of reporting not only to the EMTCC, but also to IFRC and back-donors. Moving forwards, this data collection will also be used to collect essential data to audit and improve the quality of care provided within the RCRC ERU’s.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the utilization of RCHIS within a domestic ERU (equivalent to an EMT type one or two) has been hugely successful. The next steps will involve the deployment of RCHIS within an international deployment.