Artificial Intelligence in EMS
Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly useful in EMS (Emergency Medical Services). Speech to text is one of the most used functions of AI allowing crews to use talk-to-text and allow hands-on treatment of the patient without interruptions to scribble a few (commonly indecipherable) words during treatment. In addition, AI can be used to help dispatch the closest available ambulances to the scene and help find the fastest route to the hospital to save valuable minutes until hospital treatment.
Artificial Intelligence is also helping to train new EMTs by creating simulations including mass casualty incidents, producing relevant vitals as per the scenario, and offer simulations of cardiac and other relevant body functions while recording and/or correcting a clinician’s decisions for treatment. While students need to learn to “think for themselves”, the AI can catch errors and offer correction so that in the actual field, the actions of a health care provider are more in line with the patient’s needs.
Using location-based technology, dispatch can utilize AI to contact the closest ambulance, perhaps even the best equipped for the call, and provide accessible routes. Reviewing patient statistics and treatments can make it easier on an ambulance service to maintain necessary supplies and stock as well as helping management to adhere to a budget. Scheduling manpower is also easier when history, weather conditions, road closings, and special events are input and analyzed by the system.
Artificial Intelligence assists us, but does NOT replace hands-on care and, especially the tell-tale symptoms that trained EMTs and Paramedics notice are vital to patient care. While Artificial Intelligence may seem like the “final word” in treatment and more, but, analyzing patient condition with actual vitals, health history, patient comfort and complaints and using their own intelligence to make many patient care decisions.
The same rule applies to the corps’ management – they need to know their providers, understand their needs, skills and experience, and ensure they’ve provided all the tools their providers need. With the use of electronic PCRs, state reporting can be simplified and transmitted electronically.
Specific tools are being made available, and many agencies are beginning to utilize them. Some AI tools can help to monitor the patient’s heart rate and other vitals while enroute to the hospital providing receiving doctors and staff with a clear history of the patient’s medical crisis. When a 911 call is received, Artificial Intelligence can help guide a layperson through CPR and other emergency care while they wait for the ambulance’s arrival.
While AI tools are used increasingly in the field, it is doubtful that the role of EMT (or Paramedic) will ever be obsolete. Even though heart rate can be monitored, CPR can be administered, and routes to the hospital can be suggested, the human component of health care remains vital. As yet, AI cannot understand a patient’s fears or provide comfort that only human contact is capable of – but as an assist in saving lives, Artificial Intelligence is definitely making inroads and helping to save lives.
I'm a former NYS EMT and still part of an EMS & FD family. I like to think I can write ;)
