How well are local emergency services performing? Wright State will be studying that question

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Priti Parikh, primary investigator on the grant, said it is critical for Ohio to understand the level of care provided by each EMS agency, the trauma resources used and the type of performance improvement programs that have been adopted by each agency.

“If such data can be collected, then it will allow the state to compare and benchmark these agencies or counties against similar peer groups,” Parikh said. “Benchmarking EMS agencies against similar peer agencies can reveal best practices among top performers in terms of care provision. This will enable the adoption of best practices, not just in that specific peer group, but potentially across the state.”

Through their research, they will identify and assess how medics treat traumatic injuries around Ohio.

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Parikh, associate professor of surgery, is leading a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including EMS providers and engineers.

“The primary goal of an efficient and effective trauma system is to provide the right patient the right care at the right time and place,” Parikh said. “Emergency medical service providers perform field triage to assist in determining the most appropriate level of care needed for the patient. It is essential for EMS agencies to have quality and performance improvement programs in place.”

These programs rely on key performance indicators to continuously monitor the system’s overall performance, resource utilization and effectiveness of pre-hospital interventions.