Many businesses want to implement new software in hopes of achieving the same gains as someone else in their industry did. But not every business is in the same starting position for implementing a new system. In EMS, emergency responders learn how to assess a patient before any treatment. Here is how...

1. S-A-M-P-L-E
Your EMS Agency
Dale Loberger
dloberger@bcs-gis.com
www.hp-ems.com
twitter.com/hp_ems
facebook.com/HighPerformanceEMS

2. So, you want some
new software for your
EMS agency?

3. You know someone
else was successful
with it and you want
that too, right?

4. Are you sure that you
are ready for it?

5. A “SAMPLE” EMS Assessment
When an MOI or NOI is not clearly apparent we
must dig a little deeper to uncover potential
threats or contra-indications to any “treatments”.
The SAMPLE mnemonic works with patients, but
with little or no adaption, it can also be useful to
evaluate your agency.

6. Signs & Symptoms
SAMPLE
Objective measures (baseline & trends)
response times?
safety record?
clinical outcome quality measures?

7. Signs & Symptoms
SAMPLE
Subjective measures
public perception?
patient satisfaction?
complaint handling?
press/media interaction?
competition for service?

8. Allergies?
SAMPLE
What does your service avoid?
cultural resistance to change?
anything that constricts the flow of ideas?
do you hear “we could never do that here…”?

9. “Medications”
SAMPLE
Promoting healthly improvement
QI programs in place?
are you compliant with these programs?

10. Pertinent past history
SAMPLE
What past history shapes the current situation?
tradition (what is ineffective but ingrained)?
organizational prejudices?
leadership issues?
ability to challenge assumptions?

11. Last “intake”
SAMPLE
Recruitment and Retention
culture/quality of “new hires”?
professional development (not just Con Ed)?
retention rates?
ability to advance?
conference participation?

12. preceding Events
SAMPLE
What is prompting thought of change?
press/media coverage?
elected official/management image?
need for “invention” or “intervention”?

13. General impression
How does your agency look viewed in this way?
does environment exist to support change?
is there a desire to improve?
are you looking for accreditation?
is there “informed consent” to proceed?

14. When you think
you are ready…
What can BCS do for you?
http://www.bcs-gis.com

15. Being Efficient is Good…
Being Effective is Better…
Doing both is MARVLIS™!