The Dubuque Fire Department recently launched a new advancement within its electronic patient care reporting system, ESO, called the Health Data Exchange (HDE) module.

The HDE securely connects the department’s emergency medical services (EMS) documentation with UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital’s electronic health record system, allowing emergency department notes and patient disposition details to automatically flow back to the Fire Department once a patient’s hospital care is complete. Paramedics can now view this information directly within their patient records, providing them with timely feedback on the care they delivered in the field.

This advancement represents a major step forward in continuity of care and data-driven improvement. This collaboration between the Dubuque Fire Department and UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital marks the first time in Iowa a hospital and an EMS agency have established a bi-directional feedback loop that allows field providers to see how their prehospital care impacts patient outcomes.

“This collaboration between UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital and the Dubuque Fire Department enhances communication, strengthens clinical quality assurance, and ultimately improves patient care across our community,” said Dubuque Fire Department EMS Bureau Chief Sam Janecke.

Access to this data took extensive coordination between both organizations. As with all patient information, these records remain HIPAA-protected and are handled with the highest level of confidentiality and security. EMS providers not currently using ESO can connect through a secure bridge interface, allowing the same real-time data transfer between their reporting systems and the hospital’s emergency medical record (EMR).

“This initiative allows us to collaborate more closely with our local EMS partners, align care standards, share information and streamline patient transitions between field and hospital care,” said Mary Rausch, manager of the Finley Hospital Emergency Department. “It’s a significant investment in improving patient outcomes across our community.”

Through this secure, HIPAA-compliant data exchange:

• Incoming EMS data such as vital signs, medications, procedures and incident details is inserted directly into the patient’s hospital record, enhancing safety and ensuring continuity of care.
• Relevant hospital information including outcomes, diagnoses and treatment summaries is securely and confidentially shared back with the EMS provider to support ongoing quality improvement and patient-care coordination.

“This information benefits both hospital and EMS teams, helping us work together more seamlessly to support the best possible outcomes,” Rausch said. “As additional information becomes available in the hospital setting, it allows both teams to collaborate and identify opportunities to intervene even earlier to improve patient outcomes. Over time, we expect to see measurable improvements in stroke care, cardiac emergencies, cath-lab activation, pediatric care and trauma response.”

“This integration not only benefits our paramedics—by giving them direct feedback on their work in real time—but also reinforces Dubuque’s leadership in leveraging technology to improve public safety and healthcare outcomes,” said Dubuque Fire Chief Amy Scheller.