By The West Michigan Regional Medical Control Consortium
At the West Michigan Regional Medical Control Consortium (WMRMCC), we’ve long recognized the critical need for state-of-the-art technology to support our EMS clinicians. Our consortium, a not-for-profit corporation comprising 11 state-designated Medical Control Authorities (MCAs) covering West Michigan, focuses on regulating and overseeing licensed EMS life support agencies and personnel within our specific geographical area. Our primary mission is to streamline protocols and improve the standard of EMS care across West Michigan. It’s a mission that led us to seek out a solution that could not only meet, but exceed our expectations: the OneDose Protocol Management Tool by Hinckley Medical was chosen for that reason.
Until four years ago, our EMS clinicians were burdened with memorizing protocols from a document exceeding 500 pages, posing significant challenges to patient safety and provider efficiency. At the beginning of 2020 a protocol app launched to help EMS clinicians have real time access to their protocols. We utilized this app to improve care for the last 4 years, but our network of medical professionals discovered the app had some limitations, particularly in reducing medication errors and improving patient safety. Moreover, the app’s reach was restricted to just two counties, whereas our need spanned across 11 MCAs. Now, we’ve transitioned to OneDose, which our providers have found to be next level in EMS innovation, significantly streamlining their jobs, from training to treatment.
The introduction of this new tool has increased our reach, with nearly 4,500 providers now having access to this invaluable tool, over double the number of people compared to our previous system. More than 60 agencies are now benefiting from OneDose, a testament to its efficacy and essential role in our emergency medical services.
This tool has revolutionized our approach to EMS protocols. The OneDose app, with offline capabilities, enables us to deliver real-time updates to our providers through push notifications, a feature our previous system lacked. Customization is at our fingertips, allowing us to tailor the platform to both regional and individual MCA needs. The backend user experience, the Admin Console, empowers us to make adjustments and custom changes efficiently, so our providers always have access to the most accurate and up-to-date protocols. The app also features questionnaires and quizzes that our providers can utilize to train on protocols at any time. All of these features work towards our mission of delivering accurate dosing information and treatment guidelines to medical personnel, significantly reducing the mental load of med math and protocol memorization, thereby enhancing both patient safety and provider efficiency.
The impact of OneDose embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation that both WMRMCC and Hinckley Medical share. It ensures all MCAs work together to improve care across the entire region, allowing us to address provider needs dynamically. Hinckley Medical’s technical team has been instrumental in this process, demonstrating an unparalleled willingness to innovate and genuinely consider our feedback for continuous improvement.
The WMRMCC are more than just 11 individual MCA’s in West Michigan, we are advocates for progress in EMS care. OneDose represents more than just technological advancement – it’s a step towards a future where every EMS provider in West Michigan, and beyond, is empowered with the knowledge and tools to provide the best possible care. Through our collaboration with Hinckley Medical and the implementation of OneDose, we’re not just adapting to changes in the healthcare landscape, we’re actively shaping the future of emergency medical services in West Michigan by providing the EMS clinicians the tools to perform and provide the highest and safest level of patient care.