An estimated 25-30% of total healthcare spend in the U.S. can be traced to inefficient patient throughput, delayed access to treatment, excess length of stay, preventable readmissions and over-utilization, and unaddressed social determinants of health (SDOH).^{i ii} The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) prioritization of health equity is converging with the rise of value-based healthcare, prompting hospitals and healthcare systems to look for new ways to drive down inefficiencies.

How can hospitals stem the tide? The key is to better utilize the resources that are right in front of them. Collaboration with pre-hospital providers — namely, emergency medical services (EMS) — is a critical success factor for hospitals and healthcare systems. Yet, enabling EMS collaboration and data integration is often overlooked. Why does this blind spot persist?

Integrating and making EMS data available through the electronic medical record (EMR) system should be a major component of hospital IT strategy. Benefits of data integration (also known as data interoperability) include improving continuity of care, supporting medical decision making (MDM), and supporting operational and financial performance. Combined PCR and EMR data can enable:

• Better patient throughput and fewer barriers to discharge
• Using existing resources to deliver services more efficiently
• Quantifiable performance metrics required for accreditation and value-based care