Perfect Storm: factors converge to create data surge
FirstWatch President Todd Stout is interviewed by IAED Journal editorial board member Keith Griffiths to discuss the important of using data, and why it matters. Read the Interview.
Providing Community ROI with Geospatial Tools
Sedgwick County EMS uses FirstWatch during Riverfest for real-time surveillance and analysis to warn agencies of trends and patterns in areas surrounding the festival. Read the Article.
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – Visionaries define top 7 current health care challenges
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – Finding the Joy: Beyond job satisfaction in EMS
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
FirstWatch and Richmond Celebrate 15 Years Together
The Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA), was the first EMS agency in the world to implement the first commercial version of FirstWatch, which at the time focused on biosurveillance. RAA and FirstWatch, now an industry leader in public safety data analytics and improvement, are pleased to announce the 15th anniversary of that first installation. Read the full Press Release from RAA
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – The I have a theory approach to change management in EMS
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
Lowell uses technology and outreach to try and turn tide of overdoses
Last year, 63 people lost their lives because of addiction in Lowell, MA and city officials and Trinity EMS are fighting back using FirstWatch technology. Watch the TV News Clip Here.
Fatal opioid overdoses have declined in parts of Eastern Mass
The Boston Globe highlights FirstWatch customer Trinity EMS for their efforts in reducing opioid overdoses in Lowell, MA. Read the Article Here.
EMS Agenda 2050: Building a Team to Help Shape our Future
The EMS Agenda 2050 project, led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman, is underway. Mike shares in this article plans for how the group will be creating the Agenda, and how they want to involve you! Read the Article Here.
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – Quality Improvement in Action: Cutting opioid overdose deaths in half
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – EMS QI: Focus on what matters to patients
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – Letting go: Organizational phantom limbs
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – How to deal with angry EMS employees
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
Crisis Porportions: Communications Center Strategies to Rally Against Opioid Epidemic
FirstWatch is proud to help agencies detect opioid overdoses and share that information with local stakeholders that can intervene in real-time. Learn more in this article featured in the March/April Issue of The Journal. Read the Article.
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – How EMS should benchmark for improvement
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
Fond du Lac Fire Rescue using FirstWatch to Improve Response Times
Fond du Lac Fire Rescue, WI is using FirstWatch to see how quickly personnel and equipment are getting to calls. With goals being set and tracked, they’re expected to be met. Since launching the program, the Fond du Lac Fire Department has been able to meet between 90 and 100% of its goals. Watch the TV News Clip.
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – Improve EMS performance like a champion
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
New EMS1 Column Post by Mike Taigman – EMS Chiefs: Listen for theories
Read the latest post in the new Paramedic Chief column via EMS1, "Better EMS Performance" led by our own Improvement Guide, Mike Taigman. In this new column, Mike and our FirstWatch team along with our customers and colleagues will share actionable strategies, concepts and ideas to make real improvements. This column draws from Learning Organizations, Systems Thinking, Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and others you will not need to have a black belt to put these ideas...
Outbreak of Acute Flaccid Myelitis
The CDC is investigating a surge in cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). AFM is a syndrome of weakened muscles that may sometimes lead to paralysis, including limb and respiratory muscles. The majority of cases are in children and adolescents. What EMS should know: If a patient, particularly a child/adolescent presents with weak or paralyzed limbs, they should be transported to the hospital for further evaluation. Careful attention should be paid to washing hands, decontaminating objects & surfaces. Wearing appropriate PPE will also...
EMS Data Can Help Stop the Opioid Epidemic
Former FirstWatch Medical Director Dr. Alex Garza and Boston EMS, Fire and Police Medical Director Dr. Sophia Dyer, joined forces in this month's issue of JEMS to share the opportunity EMS has to help in the efforts to slow down the Opioid epidemic and perhaps prevent overdoses before they occur. Read the Article.
