Reducing Risk: How Cross-Checking Prevents Paramedic Medication Errors

Reducing Risk: How Cross-Checking Prevents Paramedic Medication Errors

Reducing Risk: How Cross-Checking Prevents Paramedic Medication Errors

Medication errors in emergency medical services (EMS) can happen in high-stress, high-stakes situations—and even experienced paramedics are not immune. Simple yet effective verification processes during patient reporting can make a life-saving difference, yet studies on self-reported incidents highlight the need for better safeguards (Vilke 2007). One of the most effective yet underutilized tools is cross-checking: a brief but critical pause to verify medications, dosages, and documentation. Sansio explores how a culture of double-checking can dramatically reduce errors and improve patient outcomes.

EMT Using an iPad

Think Twice, Save a Life

Paramedics responding to an anonymous survey reported to have encountered medication errors from protocol errors to wrong medication errors. However, a whopping 63% were dose-related errors. Dosing is a crucial step in providing patient care and can make all the difference in a case, down to the microgram.

The top contributing factor to those dose-related errors?

“Failure to triple check,” (Vilke 2007).

Who is Affected by Medication Errors?

Who is affected by medication errors? Most importantly, the patient – it is our job to make sure that emergency responders have the tools to always put the patient first, and that includes checking all work.

“I have been involved from the administrative side of a wrong medication delivery, and it was not a good situation on many levels,” shared Director of Sales and Marketing and Retired Fire Lieutenant and Paramedic, Don Bertucci.

“Your first concern, of course, is about the patient and any adverse effects that the medication could have on that person.  Once you get past that, you must deal with the how's and the why's, followed by disciplinary action, re-training, and various other tasks that need to be completed to ensure that it doesn't happen again.”

All the patient risk and additional time needed to correct such a serious issue could be avoided with a more simple, hard-to-miss cross-checking strategy.

So, we created one.

Cross Checking Made Easy

“When our customer asked for the electronic collection of data for the Medication Administration Cross Check, I was all for it and brought it to our team for quick development,” continued Bertucci. “It has been a great resource to not only drive EMS personnel behavior, but also to document that it was done. Both are essential to providing high quality patient care.”

By adding a Medication Administration Cross Check (MACC) option in our ePCR software, HealthEMS and MobileTouch, users can be required to fill out a section within the patient report that confirms medication cross checking has been completed. Teams can also use the section of the report for quality improvement by including details about the near miss or potential error. The MACC requirement can be added to any medication and is set up by the agency based on their needs.

MACC in Action

When administering a narcotic like Fentanyl, dosage, unit and route are imperative pieces of information to get correct the first time around. Once the medication is chosen in the report, a MACC table will materialize and show required steps to complete before finishing that patient report. The table will ask:


“Was MACC Completed?”

“Did the MACC catch a potential error?”

“Describe the near miss”

Serving Those Who Serve Others

The Sansio team is eager to continue developing innovative features for our ePCR software every day. By identifying the bigger issues faced by emergency response teams, we can help build better solutions to ensure better patient care and easier documentation.

Interested in learning more about Sansio and other HealthEMS features? Connect with Sansio at www.sansio.com/contact-us.

iPad Preview of Handtevy and MobileTouch

 About Sansio, Inc. – HealthEMS and MobileTouch

Sansio is a recognized leader in healthcare software solutions, providing intuitive and reliable platforms such as HealthEMS to streamline healthcare operations. Sansio is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare services through cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support.

For more information visit www.sansio.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lindsay Miller, Marketing Specialist
Sansio, Inc.
lindsay.miller@sansio.com

Sansio Unveils New Integration with Handtevy to Enhance User Experience and Streamline Workflow

Sansio Unveils New Integration with Handtevy to Enhance User Experience and Streamline Workflow

Sansio Unveils New Integration with Handtevy to Enhance User Experience and Streamline Workflow

Duluth, MN – Sansio, a leader in Electronic Patient Care Reporting (EPCR) and EMS Software, is excited to announce the launch of its latest integration, designed to streamline user experience and workflows for EMS responders using Handtevy. This innovative enhancement reinforces Sansio’s commitment to advancing the abilities of emergency responders and healthcare providers through innovative and adaptable technology.

With this new integration, users can expect a more connected and simplified experience, reducing double documentation, increasing data accuracy, and improving overall workflow efficiency. By integrating with Handtevy, Sansio ensures that EMS clinicians have seamless access to critical data for direct field import into patient care reports — allowing them to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional care and improving patient outcomes.

Key benefits of the new integration include:


Seamless Data Import – With a single click, users can import Handtevy collected data into MobileTouch™, eliminating redundant data entry and streamlining documentation.

✅ Optimized Workflow – Upon Handtevy import, users can review and confirm all data, with the ability to deselect any irrelevant or inaccurate data before finalizing the patient care record.

Comprehensive Data Transfer – Import critical patient fields such as age, weight, length-based tape color, cardiac events, equipment, medications, infusions, and more.

Enhanced User Experience – A thoughtfully designed interface ensures intuitive navigation and effortless data management for EMS clinicians.

The integration is scheduled to be available to HealthEMS users in April of 2025 with the deployment of version x.63. Current HealthEMS customers are encouraged to contact the Sansio Solution Center by starting a new case or calling 218-625-7000, option 1, for more details or to begin the integration process.

Handtevy and Sansio Integration for EMS

We understand the challenges our users face daily, and this integration is a game-changer. By optimizing workflows and eliminating inefficiencies, we empower our users with a solution that not only enhances productivity but also significantly improves accuracy and consistency with patient care documentation.

Kris Ruhl

Director of Product Development, Sansio

New to Sansio?

Not a HealthEMS user yet? Looking to learn more about the Handtevy + Sansio integration? Complete the Sansio request form to connect with our team.

 About Sansio, Inc. – HealthEMS and MobileTouch

Sansio is a recognized leader in healthcare software solutions, providing intuitive and reliable platforms such as HealthEMS to streamline healthcare operations. Sansio is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare services through cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support.

About Handtevy

Handtevy is a leading, highly customized system of care and mobile application trusted by EMS and hospital clinicians worldwide. Dedicated to improving patient outcomes, Handtevy empowers providers to deliver the highest standard of emergency medical care, with a strong emphasis on pediatric patients. By integrating the latest scientific advancements and offering an evidence-based, point-of-care mobile application tailored to EMS organizations, Handtevy reduces errors, enhances clinician confidence, and ultimately saves more lives.

For more information visit www.sansio.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lindsay Miller, Marketing Specialist
Sansio, Inc.
lindsay.miller@sansio.com

LIFENET Cloud API Integration with Sansio HealthEMS

LIFENET Cloud API Integration with Sansio HealthEMS

LIFENET Cloud API Integration with Sansio HealthEMS

Lifenet Cloud API Integration


The Sansio team is thrilled to announce the official launch of integration with the LIFENET™ Cloud API. As our newest integration, it’s here and ready to impress. This powerful integration seamlessly imports LIFEPAK 35 data to Sansio’s HealthEMS and MobileTouch. Designed with you in mind, it makes importing monitor data directly into your ePCR easier than ever.

KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:


✅ Over 200 Push Events: Select and map to directly add events into your ePCR Event Log. 

✅ Customizable Event Mapping: Tailor events such as agency-specific Medications and Treatments for direct integration into your ePCR Event Log. 

✅ Auto-Population of Vital Signs: Populate fields like HR, BP, and SpO2 with just a click! 

✅ Enhanced Views: Preview the Case Summary and 12- or 15-Lead ECGs directly in MobileTouch before finalizing your ePCR. 

✅ Streamlined Completed Reports: Generate, view, and share a single PDF combining the ePCR, Case Summary, and 12- or 15-Lead ECGs for maximum efficiency. 

Field-Tested and Provider Approved
Beta Testing Success: Part of this launch included advanced beta testing for the LIFENET™ Cloud API integration which has been officially completed. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Life EMS Ambulance of Michigan for their invaluable support and collaboration during this phase. Their feedback and dedication played a critical role in ensuring this integration meets the highest standards of quality and performance.

Why this Matters for You and Your Agency
This integration is built to save you time, enhance accuracy, and improve overall efficiency in your workflow. Whether you’re managing vital signs, adding events, or importing ECGs, the LIFENET™ Cloud API integration is your ultimate tool for streamlined operations.

Ready to begin your team's integration?
Contact the Sansio Solution Center and request a Professional Services Engagement (PSE) to get started on your implementation and setup.

About Sansio

Sansio is a recognized leader in healthcare and ePCR software solutions, providing intuitive and reliable platforms such as HealthEMS to streamline healthcare operations. Sansio is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare services through cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support.

 

Media Contact

Lindsay Miller | lindsay.miller@sansio.com

Echo Data Analytics and Sansio Announce Strategic Partnership

Echo Data Analytics and Sansio Announce Strategic Partnership

Echo Data Analytics and Sansio Announce Strategic Partnership

Echo Data Sansio

September 2024

Echo Data Analytics™ and Sansio™ Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance HealthEMS with Advanced Data Analytics

Brooklyn Park, MN and Duluth, MN – Echo Data Analytics, a leading provider of innovative data solutions and Sansio, a premier provider of healthcare software solutions, are excited to announce this strategic partnership. This partnership plans to integrate Echo Data Analytics' cutting-edge data analytics capabilities with Sansio's HealthEMS, a leading PCR (Patient Care Report) record management system.

Through this collaboration, Echo Data Analytics will enhance HealthEMS by providing advanced data analytics solutions to Sansio’s extensive customer base. This integration will empower healthcare providers to gain deeper insights into patient care, streamline operations, and make data-driven decisions with unprecedented accuracy and speed.

"We are thrilled to partner with Sansio and bring our advanced analytics expertise to their already powerful HealthEMS platform," said Tariq Bashir, CEO of Echo Data Analytics. "Our goal is to provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to transform raw data into actionable insights, ultimately improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency."

HealthEMS is widely recognized for its robust and user-friendly interface, enabling healthcare providers to efficiently manage patient care records. By integrating Echo Data Analytics' technology, Sansio customers will now have access to a suite of powerful analytics tools designed to optimize data management, enhance reporting capabilities, and support predictive analysis.

"This partnership marks a significant milestone for Sansio and our HealthEMS users," said Kris Ruhl, Director of Product Management at Sansio. "With Echo Data Analytics, we continue to advance the abilities of emergency responders and healthcare providers through innovative and adaptable technologies. Advanced analytics will drive more informed decisions and elevate the standard of care."

Although HealthEMS customers can request integration with the Echo platform now, the comprehensive integration is expected to be available in the coming months. This collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to innovation and excellence in the healthcare technology space.

About Echo Data Analytics™
Echo Data Analytics is a leading provider of data analytics solutions, specializing in transforming complex data into actionable insights for industries ranging from healthcare to finance. Echo's innovative tools enable organizations to leverage their data more effectively, driving better decision-making and improved outcomes.

About Sansio, Inc.
Sansio is a recognized leader in healthcare software solutions, providing intuitive and reliable platforms such as HealthEMS to streamline healthcare operations. Sansio is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare services through cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support.

For more information visit

www.echodataanalytics.com and www.sansio.com

For media inquiries, please contact:


Tariq Bashir
Chief Executive Officer
Echo Data Analytics
tbashir@echodataanalytics.com

Lindsay Miller
Marketing Specialist
Sansio, Inc.
lindsay.miller@sansio.com

MobileTouch iPadOS App Release

MobileTouch iPadOS App Release

MobileTouch iPadOS App Release

MobileTouch and iPad Use

The Sansio Team is excited to announce the official launch of MobileTouch for iPad! Our native iPadOS app has been approved for release and will be available for download starting in the fall of 2024.

This exciting milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering our customers with innovative solutions tailored to their evolving needs. With MobileTouch for iPadOS, we are delivering a seamless, user-friendly experience designed to enhance your workflow and simplify the documentation process.

iPadOS + Sansio Highlights

MobileTouch for iPadOS is packed with powerful features that will help your agency drive better patient care and operational efficiency.

  • Driver’s License / ID Scanning: Effortlessly populate many fields within the patient section of MobileTouch with just a simple scan of a barcode.
  • Other Barcode & QR Code Scanning: Easily import data into various fields throughout the ePCR, such as registration numbers, encounter numbers, and triage tag information.
  • Native iPadOS Features: Take advantage of familiar iOS functionalities that enhance usability and customization.

Driving Operational Efficiency

This release represents not just an upgrade, but a transformation in how emergency responders interact with ePCR software, making workflows smoother and more intuitive than ever. Our team will continue to communicate any updates as well as when the release launches. Support from our partners is invaluable at this time as we continue to advance the abilities of emergency responders and healthcare providers through innovative and adaptable technology.

About Sansio

Sansio is a recognized leader in healthcare and ePCR software solutions, providing intuitive and reliable platforms such as HealthEMS to streamline healthcare operations. Sansio is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare services through cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support.

 

Media Contact

Lindsay Miller | lindsay.miller@sansio.com

mobiletouch and ipad