In the broader healthcare landscape, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been brewing for years, with physicians and hospitals embracing innovative solutions to enhance patient care and streamline operations. Platforms like Epic’s open APIs have fostered a culture of collaboration, enabling developers to build tools that seamlessly integrate with existing systems. However, when we look at Emergency Medical Services, a different picture emerges. Despite AI transforming various industries, EMS remains largely unprepared for the technological revolution that is already reshaping healthcare.
Earlier this year, Mediwave—a Singapore-based company—successfully launched the first purpose-built AI natural language processing assistant specifically designed for EMS charting. This marks a pivotal moment, as it is the first solution of its kind tailored to the unique demands of EMS, and I’ve had the privilege of partnering with Wavenet on this innovation and design journey.
The Challenges EMS Faces with AI Adoption
EMS has been slower to adopt AI technologies compared to other sectors in healthcare. There are many reasons for this, including the unique working conditions EMS clinicians face and the fact that existing ePCR (electronic Patient Care Report) systems have been resistant to external collaboration. The lack of open APIs in EMS charting solutions is a major hurdle that has stifled innovation. Unlike hospital-based systems that welcome collaboration and have APIs like those found in Epic’s system, EMS solutions tend to be closed off, limiting the potential for groundbreaking advancements.
This resistance to innovation has become a growing concern, not only for developers but also for EMS agencies that see the clear potential for AI to improve care delivery. Without open systems, the EMS community risks falling behind in the AI transformation that is already taking place in hospitals and other areas of medicine. But Mediwave’s breakthrough shows what’s possible when we think outside the box and challenge the status quo.
The Journey to Mediwave's AI for EMS
My journey in collaborating with Wavenet on Mediwave’s AI solution has been both inspiring and challenging. Our goal from the start was clear: to develop an AI-powered assistant specifically trained for EMS charting, unlike anything that exists in the market today. The result was a natural language processing (NLP) system that listens in real-time during patient assessments and interviews, generating a complete chart that meets the high standards of EMS documentation. Alternatively, crews can summarize the patient’s assessment and history, and the AI assistant will create an ePCR in any standardized format—SOAP, CHART, or others.
This is not just an incremental improvement. It’s a game-changer. For the first time, EMS clinicians can offload the time-consuming task of charting to an AI assistant specifically designed for their needs. This dramatically reduces the time spent on documentation, allowing providers to focus more on patient care, which is always the top priority in EMS.
Showcasing at EMS World Expo
This past week, Mediwave showcased our groundbreaking product at the EMS World Expo in Las Vegas. It was an incredible experience, as we performed hundreds of demos with EMTs and Paramedics creating charts in mere seconds. Watching skeptical clinicians engage with the system, then seeing their amazement as they hit ‘submit’ and witnessed, seemingly like magic, a chart written with over 99% accuracy in most cases, all in a matter of seconds, was fascinating. It was a testament to the power and precision of AI when developed with a specific purpose in mind.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Clinicians who have spent years grappling with time-consuming, manual charting processes were able to see firsthand how Mediwave’s solution could revolutionize their daily workflows. The speed and accuracy of the system not only demonstrated the efficiency AI can bring but also opened up new possibilities for EMS documentation standards.
The First of Its Kind
Mediwave’s AI solution is a landmark achievement—it’s the first AI assistant built from the ground up specifically for EMS. While there are broader AI applications in healthcare, nothing has come close to addressing the unique demands of prehospital care in the way this solution does. EMS providers now have a tool that can handle real-time charting or retrospective documentation, adapting to the workflow that suits them best.
An Ethical and Responsible Approach to AI
Mediwave’s solution is an ethical and responsible example of how AI can support and improve EMS, providing valuable tools for EMS clinicians. The system is designed with a provider-first approach, ensuring that the EMS clinician remains empowered and central to the documentation process. By allowing clinicians to focus on patient care, rather than paperwork, Mediwave is demonstrating how AI can be integrated into EMS in a way that enhances, rather than replaces, human expertise.
Mediwave believes in keeping the EMS clinician at the heart of its AI solutions, recognizing that technology should support, not overshadow, the critical role they play in saving lives.
The Road Ahead: Overcoming Barriers to Innovation
Despite this major breakthrough, challenges remain. As I mentioned earlier, existing EMS charting solutions have been reluctant to embrace innovation. The lack of open APIs, unlike in the physician and hospital sectors, continues to create barriers. This reluctance threatens to slow down the adoption of life-saving technologies like AI in EMS. While Mediwave’s successful launch is a beacon of hope, the industry as a whole must recognize the urgency of fostering a more collaborative environment. Without it, we risk limiting the potential impact that AI and other technological advances can have on EMS.
A Call to Action for EMS Leaders
Mediwave’s success story should serve as a wake-up call to the EMS industry. The future of EMS is being written right now, and AI is poised to play a significant role in improving patient care, reducing clinician fatigue, and streamlining operations. But for this vision to be fully realized, we need more collaboration, more openness, and more innovation. The first step is embracing open APIs, like those seen in hospital charting systems, to allow the entire EMS community to benefit from the advancements that AI has to offer.
The road ahead is bright, but we must ensure that we do not create unnecessary barriers to progress. By embracing innovation and fostering collaboration, we can ensure that EMS remains at the forefront of technological transformation—just like the broader healthcare industry.
I’m proud to have been a part of the Mediwave journey and look forward to seeing how AI will continue to shape the future of EMS. The successful launch of this purpose-built AI for EMS is just the beginning. Let’s make sure the future of EMS is one where innovation thrives, for the benefit of clinicians and, most importantly, for the patients we serve.
I’m proud to have been a part of the Mediwave journey and look forward to seeing how AI will continue to shape the future of EMS. The successful launch of this purpose-built AI for EMS is just the beginning. Let’s make sure the future of EMS is one where innovation thrives, for the benefit of clinicians and, most importantly, for the patients we serve.
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