Information Technology for Emergency Medical System (ITEMS): A Study of its Use and Problems

Abstract

Background: ITEMS (information technology for emergency medical system) is a software program designed to help emergency medical dispatchers identify the level of emergency condition and assign proper response team to the scene. Objective: This study aimed to explore uses and problems related to ITEMS. Method: This was a cross-sectional survey research. Questionnaires were sent to the emer­gency medical personnel working in emergency dispatch centers in Health Region 1 from 1^st November 2017 to 31^st December 2017. Result: A total of 114 questionnaires were returned. Mean age was 36.5 years, and 65.8% were female. In all, 36.0% of the emergency medical personnel used ITEMS promptly, 36.8% used ITEMS in delayed data recording mode, and 26.3% did not use at all. For those who did not use ITEMS, 83.3% used their own experience, 70.0% gave the reason of staff shortage and 46.7% said the program took too long to finish. Among those who used ITEMS with delayed data recording, 92.9% explained staff shortage, and 40.5% too long to finish data recording. No factors were found to be asso­ciated with the decision to use ITEMS or the use in delay mode. Conclusion: Not many emergency medical personnel used ITEMS due to shortage of staff and long duration to complete the program. Improvement of ITEMS program and adequate staffing were recommended to solve the problem.