Answers to the 8 most frequently asked questions

But first, congratulations!

We would first like to congratulate the early adopters of Interdev’s CADLink application: Essex-Windsor EMS, Niagara Paramedic Service, Hamilton Paramedic Service, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Grey County Paramedic Service, Oxford County Paramedic Service and Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Service. With seven CADLink installations under our belt, and another seven slotted in for implementation in the second quarter of 2020, we’re taking this opportunity to share some answers to frequently asked questions regarding CADLink’s installation requirements and the application itself.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

Q: What infrastructure do we require in our trucks to take advantage of the full solution?

A: Tablets require a connection to the internet, either by connecting to a truck Wi-Fi hotspot or a cellular card in the tablet themselves.

For mapping, the tablet must be connected to a GPS signal either from the vehicle’s AVL system or from an external GPS puck.

“It’s the ‘power load stretcher’ of EMS technology: a total game-changer”

Kevin McNab Grey County Paramedic Service

Q: Which AVL solutions is CADLink compatible with?

A: We currently have interfaces to Acetech, PRAN AVL, Tach West and SkyHawk. Interdev Technologies will develop an interface to any AVL vendor required by our clients. To that end, we will notify your AVL vendor and they will work with you to ensure a connection.

Q: Do we need to enhance our GPS functionality for the CADLink mapping to be accurate?

A: Some services have gone with external GPS pucks, which update the GPS location five times per second. This provides ideal mapping and vehicle motion on the tablet maps. Others have had success with a once-per-second AVL feed.

Q: If a medic starts an ePCR without a dispatch record, can I connect the ePCR to the dispatch record after the fact?

A: Yes. Within the iMedic interface, a medic can “link” a call whenever dispatch data is ready, assuming the call is initiated without a dispatch record. As you can se in the screen capture below, the top left menu presents a “link” icon they can select anytime, allowing them to pull dispatch data down when it becomes available.

Q: As a supervisor, what does my view show?

A: The supervisor sees a map with information about the position of every vehicle in your fleet. The supervisor can message with all rostered crews. In addition, crews can message amongst all vehicles dispatched to the call they are currently on. All messaging is logged, encrypted and secure.

Q: What types of resources are required on the client side for the implementation?

A: If vehicles are connected to the internet and the tablets are connected to the vehicle, the remote update is seamless and requires no resources on the client’s side. We do request that a contact on your side confirms each tablet has received the software update. Interdev Technologies will work closely with the chosen resource to ensure the tablets are ready to go live, and the AVL vendor will work with you to connect CADLink to your system.

Q: How long does the implementation take and what training resources are provided by Interdev Technologies?

A: The entire implementation typically takes between two and three weeks from kick-off to full implementation. Interdev Technologies provides a video and an instruction document. The interface is intuitive and requires very little orientation.

“The medics picked it up quickly because it’s really easy to use.”

Carl Bowker Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Service

Q: What are the various components of the solution? Can we implement in a phased approach?

A: We are able to deliver CADLink in a phased approach. There are technically three components to the solution.

  1. Situational Awareness Dashboard (web-based)
  2. CADLink interface (in vehicle)
  3. ePCR integration (in iMedic)

 

As a service, you can take advantage of the solution(s) in a number of scenarios.

Just the SAD
You can use just the Situational Awareness Dashboard. This is web-based, meaning it is located online and can be accessed from anywhere by those in your service you’ve identified as requiring access.

SAD and Integration between Dispatch and ePCR
You can take advantage of the integration between dispatch and ePCR, which means your ePCR is initiated by and populated with dispatch information. This reconciles dispatch records with ePCR and alleviates a lot of redundant data entry for paramedics. This setup lacks the in-vehicle interface and mapping functionality, but it still takes advantage of reduced time on task for medics and dispatchers.

SAD, Integration and CADLink
This is the ideal configuration which enables all the process improvements leading to measurable impacts in the system.

Some of the measurable impacts of using all three:

  • Reduced response time to calls: a staggering 30-second reduction is possible
  • Reduced “time on task” for paramedics to complete a call
  • Reduced “time on task” for dispatch staff
  • Improved data reliability; less human error results from a direct data feed
  • Reduced quality assurance effort needed because dispatch, travel, and patient care records are all seamlessly linked
  • Reduced talk time between paramedics and dispatchers
  • Reduced 90th percentile time for transfer of ePCRs to receiving hospitals by 7 hours
  • Higher compliance with standards related to the reconciliation of ePCR with CAD data
  • Prenotification to hospitals of en-route patient with ETA
Try it for yourself

Want to get a better sense of how the CADLink mobile data terminal software fits into your specific process?

Get in touch to schedule a demo.