WMFD needs to update paramedic computer system

WMFD needs to update paramedic computer system

Council asked to fast- track measure approving switch

news@theeveningtimescom

The West Memphis Fire Department paramedics were looking for some support at City Council on Thursday. The company supplying their medical reporting program has gone out of business. The department has switched to another service on a trial basis, which is set to expire at the end of November.

WMFD EMS Division Chief Chris Brogdon told the West Memphis Fire Commission that the department was on the clock to lock down a new service provider. Fire Department officials presented it a proposal to the council, asking council members to waive competitive bidding and to invoke an emergency clause to get it passed in the final council meeting of the month.

Brogdon said the new system represented an upgrade from what his paramedics had been using. First-year expenses, including training and installation of the complete system, are estimated at $25,000, with an ongoing rate of just under $1,000 per month.

“Our current provider gave us a 30-day notice they were going out of business,” said Brogdon. “The company we are trying to get gave us a very basic loaner unit for 60 days which runs out at the end of the month.”

The new company is called Image Trend. Brogdon said there are competitors but they are more costly.

“There are four or five different kinds,” said Brogdon. “They are all a little more expensive than this system.”

Image Trend provides seamless communication in required reporting with its open platform data sharing.

It is compatible with the required state reporting system and billing and forces complete and accurate input.

“The biggest deal is the state, which we are required to report to — this is what they use,” said Brogdon. “In turn, it rolls into our billing software. Every time we hit ‘save’ it automatically goes to the Arkansas Department of Health. The great thing about this is its grading system, all the way to a hundred. When you get the 100 percent then it accepts the report.”

The chief urged the council to take action under the emergency clause.

“If we don’t do something we will end up going to paper — and no one accepts paper any more,” said Brogdon.

Fire Chief Wayne Gately planned to ask the council to suspend normal procedure and move the measure through council in just one reading.

“We need to waive competitive bidding on the new EMS instant reporting and software,” said Department

Chief Wayne Gately.

The council, however, was short of a quorum for the meeting and was unable to fulfill the request. Ultimately, the company agreed to extend the trial period for the city.

By John Rech