Challenge Awards Spotlight: Orange County’s EMS Data-Sharing Project
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When someone calls 911 for a medical emergency, every second counts—and so does having the right information. That’s why Orange County’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) launched a new system that allows paramedics and hospitals to share information in real time.
This Bi-Directional Data Exchange Project, which earned a 2024 CSAC Challenge Award, connects Orange County’s EMS data system with the electronic health record systems of 21 hospitals across the county. Now, when paramedics transport a patient, they can send electronic reports straight to the hospital’s system before they even arrive. After the patient is treated, hospitals can send key information—like diagnosis and outcomes—back to EMS teams.
The result? Better communication, faster care, and improved training for paramedics based on real patient outcomes. Orange County’s innovative use of technology is helping save lives and set a new standard for how emergency medical care can be delivered.
To learn more about this groundbreaking initiative and for more details on the CSAC Challenge Awards and other innovative California county programs, visit www.counties.org/challenge-awards.