WINNIPEG - April 2, 2008 - Winnipeg, MB – Leading-edge technology has ushered in a new era in emergency patient care in Winnipeg with the implementation of the Electronic Patient Care Report (EPCR) system by the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.

“The implementation of EPCR represents a tremendous technological advance for the department,” said Acting Fire & Paramedic Chief Ken Sim. “With medical call volumes steadily increasing, and a legislated requirement for timely and secure information, this innovation will allow us to improve patient care and ease pressure on our emergency personnel.”

EPCR replaces the ‘pen and paper’ system of documenting patient health and care information that has been in place in Winnipeg since the 1970s. The ZOLL Data Systems TabletPCR system features data protection in a mainframe computer linked to electronic notebooks in 65 ambulances and fire units responding to medical calls. It allows emergency responders to increase their focus on patient care while reducing documentation time. EPCR means that patient care report data will no longer need to be manually data-entered to invoice customers, provide statistical reports, or track medical skills.

EPCR provides:

• Real-time patient information
• More uniform and complete patient care report documentation
• Immediate data entry and quick retrieval of patient information
• Secure storage of patient information in private, secure network
• More data on which to base business decisions.

Each patient encounter requires a documented Patient Care Report (PCR) which details where, when, why and by whom emergency medical services were provided. It also identifies findings, procedures and final disposition of each response. A copy of the PCR is provided to the hospital when transport by ambulance is required, and is further used for supervisory review and statistical reporting. EPCR is being implemented at a cost of $1.08 million.