AU2013245450A1 - Emergency Services Monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an emergency services monitoring system. The system includes a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system. A data warehouse is provided for receiving updating information relating to emergency service resources from the CAD system. One or more hand held devices are provided for displaying the updating information received from the data warehouse.

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT EMERGENCY SERVICES MONITORING The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 EMERGENCY SERVICES MONITORING TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to emergency services monitoring. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to ambulance service monitoring. BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. [0003] Ambulance resources are typically allocated to response areas overseen by static and mobile supervisors. [0004] Traditionally, a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system is the system used to receive Triple Zero (000) calls and dispatch ambulance resources within an Operations Centre. In turn, the CAD system issues dispatch notices to ambulance resources in a response area. [0005] The supervisor periodically uses a mobile phone or radio to call the operating centre to ascertain the status of the ambulance resources, and determine whether reallocation of resources is required. In practice, delays are incurred in providing the supervisor with relevant information from the vast plethora of information available from multiple sources. This process is also a distraction to the Operations Centre and supports reactive rather than proactive supervision. Ultimately, any delay in providing this information delays appropriate resource allocation and response times, which can be critical in life threatening cases. [0006] There is an apparent need to improve the provision of information to the supervisor.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an emergency services monitoring method including: displaying, on a hand held device, updating information relating to emergency service resources. [0008] Advantageously, the hand held device can keep a travelling supervisor informed of updated information relating to ongoing emergency service resources to assist with co-ordination of those resources. [0009] Preferably, the emergency service resources relate to ambulances. The updating information may relate to current ambulance cases, ambulance cases waiting to be dispatched, the location and status of all ambulance units and hospital ambulance arrivals at any given time thus allowing targeted supervision. [00010] The updating information may be initially displayed as a summary. The summary may provide a state-wide view of current real time response time percentiles (previously published the following day for a 24 hour period), the current cases awaiting ambulance dispatch according to a response area, the cumulative number of responses for each response area according to response code, the unit status of all vehicles within a response area which gives a real-time view of current response capabilities, and the distribution of ambulance crews at various hospitals. [00011] The method may further include the step of receiving a selection of an item in the summary and then displaying further details relating to that item. The displayed updating information may relate to the distribution of ambulance crews at various hospitals. The hospitals may be color coded relating to targets or capacity. The displayed updating information may include a map showing resource locations. The displayed updating information may include a prioritization of cases, high resource consumption cases and/or aeromedical resources. [00012] The method may further include logging details of each resource for accountability, and later recall in the event of retrospective review.

3 [00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an emergency services monitoring system including: a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system; a data warehouse for receiving updating information relating to emergency services resources from the CAD system; and one or more hand held devices for displaying the updating information received from the data warehouse. [00014] The data warehouse may provide for secure buffering of information between the CAD system and the hand held devices. Preferably, the data warehouse collects data from a range of sources other than the CAD system to form the updating information which is then provided to the handheld devices. [00015] Preferably, the hand held devices are configured to only receive updating information, and not send information to the data warehouse to impede corruption of the information in the warehouse and CAD system. [00016] The data warehouse may further receive the updating information from other sources such as surveillance cameras, and telemetry system and GPS units on emergency service vehicles. [00017] The data warehouse includes a database in which details of each resource are logged. [00018] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00019] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 4 [00020] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an ambulance services monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [00021] Figure 2 is a summary screen displayed on a tablet of the system of Figure 1; [00022] Figure 3 is an ambulance distribution screen displayed on a tablet of the system of Figure 1; [00023] Figure 4 is an ambulance map screen displayed on a tablet of the system of Figure 1; and [00024] Figure 5 is an incidents screen displayed on a tablet of the system of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an ambulance services monitoring system 100 as shown in Figure 1. The system 100 includes a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system 102 for issuing dispatch notices to ambulance resources 104. [00026] A data warehouse 106 receives and stores real-time continually updating information relating to the ambulance resources 104 from the CAD system 102, and telemetry system and GPS units on the ambulance resources 104. The received updating information also includes information from other sources such as traffic surveillance cameras 108. The system 100 further includes electronic tablets 110 (i.e. internet enabled hand held devices) for displaying the updating information received from the data warehouse 106. The updating information relates to current ambulance cases, ambulance cases waiting to be dispatched, the location and status of all ambulance units and hospital ambulance arrivals at any given time thus allowing targeted supervision. [00027] Advantageously, the tablet 110 can keep a travelling supervisor 112 informed of updated information relating to ongoing ambulance resources 104 to assist with co ordination of those resources 104. The data warehouse 106 provides for secure buffering of information between the CAD system 102 and the tablet 110. The tablet 110 is configured to only receive updating information, and not send information to the data 5 warehouse 106 so as to impede corruption of the information in the warehouse 106 and CAD system 102. [00028] The data warehouse 106 includes a database 114 in which details of each ambulance resource 104 are logged for accountability. These details can later be recalled in the event of a retrospective review to assess and educate supervisors 112 in relation to operational performance. The system 100 further includes an operator centre 116 including operators manning phones. The operators receive call from the public and, in turn, send dispatch requests to the CAD system 102. [00029] An ambulance monitoring method performed by the mobile supervisor 112 is now described. The supervisor 112 carries the tablet 110 displaying the continuously updating information relating to ambulance resources 104. [00030] Turning to Figure 2, the updating information is initially displayed in a top screen as a summary 200. The summary 200 provides five information display boxes 202a-e, namely showing: a state-wide view of current real time response time percentiles (previously published the following day for a 24 hour period using traditional techniques) (box 202a), the current cases awaiting ambulance dispatch according to a response area (box 202b), the cumulative number of responses for each response area according to response code (box 202c), the unit status of all vehicles within a response area which gives a real-time view of current response capabilities (box 202d), and the distribution of ambulance crews at various hospitals (box 202e). [00031] The tablet 110 can receive a selection, from the supervisor 112, of a box 202a-e (or item) in the summary and then display further details relating to that box 202a-e. Advantageously, the supervisor first obtains a summary (i.e. overall picture), and is then able to drill down for further information which greatly improves time in ascertaining relevant information upon which resourcing decisions are made. [00032] Selecting box 202e of the summary 200 provides the displayed updating information screen 300 shown in Figure 3. The screen 300 shows the distribution of ambulances 104 at various listed hospitals. The rows relating to respective hospitals 302 are color coded relating to targets and capacity of each hospital. Elaborating further, any hospital 302 with (a) more ambulance units 104 than an agreed threshold, or (b) an average ambulance time at destination >30 minutes, is colour coded to 6 highlight to the supervisor 112 that delays are occurring and hospitals are reaching or have exceeded the set threshold. Hospitals 302 requiring urgent attention or review are highlighted red (hospitals 302a), medium attention are highlighted yellow (hospitals 302b), and low attention are not highlighted at all (hospitals 302c). [00033] Selecting box 202d of the summary 200 provides the displayed updating information screen 400 shown in Figure 4. The screen 400 includes a map 402 showing ambulance resource locations 404, and the status of those resources within the resource area. The supervisor 112 can monitor the movement of ambulance crews 104 in the specified region, and monitor areas of increasing demand, before capacity is reached. Accordingly, pre-emptive strategies can be developed to dynamically deploy available ambulance units 104 and move ambulance resources 104 to where they are required before response times are negatively affected. [00034] Selecting a top ten incident box (not shown) of the summary 200 provides the displayed updating information screen 500 shown in Figure 5. The displayed screen 500 includes a prioritization of cases box 502, high resource consumption cases box 504 and aeromedical resources box 506. [00035] The prioritization of cases box 502 shows active incidents which may be of higher interest. Depending on the supervisor selected display criteria, such as cases that may receive media attention, or incidents of a specific clinical nature, the box 502 presents these cases indicating the response code, type of incident and the location. Each individual case can then be selected and drilled into for further interrogation by the supervisor 112. [00036] Box 504 summarises the current active cases that have three or more ambulance resources 104 on the scene. This provides the supervisor 112 with a quick overview of all cases with higher than usual resource consumption. [00037] Box 506 provides a summary of the active aerial responses. One ambulance service response may be visible in all three viewing boxes 502-506, depending on the acuity and resourcing of the particular case. [00038] The concise and speedy provision of up to date information to the supervisor 112 facilitates informed decision making.

7 [00039] Operational performance indicators in the emergency response setting are most readily interpreted as mean and median averages on the basis of the relative random nature of work. To that end, it is generally accepted that said KPIs provide useful information in determining the efficacy of strategic initiatives as they relate to work practices and procedures. The presentation of real time operational performance indicators to the ambulance supervisor 112 serves to contextualise and operationalise the cause and effect that demand, deployment and coordination have on performance. [00040] The Applicant has recognised intuitive patterns in terms of response performance by hour of day, day of week etc, and the present embodiment can be used to better understand the impacts of effectively matching resources 104 to demand during critical periods of a shift. Furthermore, the awareness of performance trends and expectations drives more specific interrogation of the elements of the call cycle and allows the supervisor 112 to identify impediments to service delivery early; in turn enabling more proactive management strategies to be implemented. [00041] In general terms, the preferred embodiment increases the level of awareness in terms of the effects of call cycle management on operational efficiency and effectiveness. The supervisor 112 can quickly identify blockages in the patient queue by going through the abovementioned system review process. [00042] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention. [00043] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art. [00044] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all 8 referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims (20)

1. An emergency services monitoring system including: a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system; a data warehouse for receiving updating information relating to emergency service resources from the CAD system; and one or more hand held devices for displaying the updating information received from the data warehouse.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data warehouse provides for secure buffering of information between the CAD system and the hand held devices.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the data warehouse also collects data from a range of sources other than the CAD system to form the updating information which is then provided to the handheld devices.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the other sources include surveillance cameras, telemetry systems or GPS units.

5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hand held devices are configured to only receive updating information, and not send information to the data warehouse so as to impede corruption of the information in the warehouse and CAD system.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data warehouse includes a database in which details of each resource are logged.

7. An emergency services monitoring method including: displaying, on a hand held device, updating information relating to emergency service resources.

8. A monitoring method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the emergency service resources relate to ambulances.

9. A monitoring method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the updating information relates to current ambulance cases, ambulance cases waiting to be dispatched, the 10 location and status of ambulance units or hospital ambulance arrivals at any given time thus allowing targeted supervision.

10. A monitoring method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the updating information is initially displayed as a summary.

11. A monitoring method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the summary provides any one or more of: a view of current real time response time percentiles, the current cases awaiting ambulance dispatch according to a response area, the cumulative number of responses for each response area according to response code, the unit status of all vehicles within a response area which gives a real-time view of current response capabilities, and the distribution of ambulance crews at various hospitals.

12. A monitoring method as claimed in claim 10, further including the step of receiving a selection of an item in the summary and then displaying further details relating to that item.

13. A monitoring method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the displayed updating information relates to the distribution of ambulance crews at various hospitals.

14. A monitoring method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hospitals are color coded relating to targets or capacity.

15. A monitoring method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the displayed updating information includes a map showing resource locations.

16. A monitoring method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the displayed updating information further includes the status of resources shown on the map.

17. A monitoring method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the displayed updating information includes a prioritization of cases, high resource consumption cases or aeromedical resources. 11

18. A monitoring method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 17, further including logging details of each resource for accountability, and later recall in the event of retrospective review.

19. A monitoring method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 18, further including the hand held devices only receiving updating information from a data warehouse, and not sending information to the data warehouse.

20. A monitoring method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 19, further including a data warehouse sending, to the handheld devices, the updating information collected from any one or more of a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, surveillance cameras, telemetry systems and GPS units. Dated this 1 5 th day of October 2013 STATE OF QUEENSLAND ACTING THROUGH THE QUEENSLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE by my attorneys Cullens Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys