Project PIIT (1)

Author: Alexander Brooke
Date Finalized: 8 April 2016
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PROJECT PROPOSAL

Portable Information Integration Tablet
“Project PIIT”

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Table of Contents

1. Summary…………………………………………………………………………...3
2. Introduction……………………………………………………………………….4
3. Needs & Problems………………………………………………………………5
4. Goals & Objectives ……………………………………………………………...7
5. Procedures…………………………………………………………………………8
6. Timetable…………………………………………………………………………...9
7. Budget………………………………………………………………………………..11
8. Key Personnel……………………………………………………………………..12
9. Evaluation…………………………………………………………………………...12

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1. Summary
NSW Ambulance is a pre-hospital clinical care provider that services the greater NSW
community. We are committed to providing high quality clinical care and health related
transport services to over 7.25 million people in NSW, distributed across an area of 801,600
square kilometers.
The goal of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of integrating multiple NSW Ambulance
technologies and information packages into a portable electronic tablet to improve access to
information, communication and better clinical practice. This includes Mobile Data Terminal
and case information accessibiity, satellite navigation, videoconferencing and access to
educational resources.
The support required is minimal with the Project Founder undertaking large portions of the
workload. Participants from Sydney Ambulance Station, whilst continuing regular duties, will
be required for 2 months however they will be sought on a voluntary basis, upon approval for
the project. IT support services pertaining to current NSW Ambulance technology will utilize
the existing NSW State Wide Service Desk. Support. Support for the device and its functions
will be directed to the Project Founder.
The budget for this project is $556.60. The Founder exclusively funds it. The low cost of the
trial highlights the potential for a highly technologically advanced integration utilizing
existing Ambulance technology for as little as $78.74 per unit. This represents huge savings
over existing systems if they can be successfully integrated and opens the possibility of
issuing a device to all NSW Ambulance personnel.
With the potential to eventually replace several NSW Ambulance systems, like Mobile Data
Terminal’s, traditional print media and Medical Records, tablet technology cannot be ignored.
Project PIIT will demonstrate to NSW Ambulance the potential of this new technology and
how it will benefit the organization through potential decreased response times, minimized
clinical and pharmaceutical errors, improved and innovative communication between
clinicians and reduced costs.

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2. Introduction
NSW Ambulance is a pre-hospital clinical care provider that services the greater NSW
community.
We are committed to providing high quality clinical care and health related transport services
to over 7.25 million people in NSW, distributed across an area of 801,600 square kilometers.
We employ over 4,000 people, with 90 per cent being operational staff involved in the front
line delivery of services. This includes paramedics, patient transport officers and specialised
areas such as intensive care and extended care paramedics, special operations, disaster relief,
aeromedical and medical retrieval. The remaining 10 per cent of our workforce are corporate
and support staff who assist in the delivery of services, including mechanical workshops,
finance and payroll, human resources and administration.
Due to a variety of factors the need for our services continues to rise. In 2013/2014 we
responded to, on average, 3383 cases per day. Due to an increase of 15,581 cases compared to
2012/2013 this meant a case was being received approximately every 26 seconds.
To manage this increase in demand and added complexities we are always seeking to
innovate and develop our existing technologies, as well as integrate new technology, to
improve clinical service delivery in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

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3. Needs/Problems
NSW Ambulance currently lacks an efficient integration of its technologies; many of which are
complex to access and operate. Newer technologies proving more and more valuable in the
pre-hospital setting are simply absent from our portfolio.
The current problems identified include:
• Mobile Data Terminals (MDT)
o MDTs are an outdated technology, displaying vast quantities of complex
information on a basic pixelated text display.
o Only small snippets of information are viewable at any given moment.
o Receiving new information interrupts reading of current notes until the new
note is acknowledged.
o Once the new note is read the MDT returns to the beginning of the information,
forcing you to scroll down again. This can be problematic during large incidents
as constant data delivery prevents reading of vital information.
• Satellite Navigation
o CADLINK is a current NSW Ambulance technology that sends a text message to
a Paramedic with a Google Maps hyperlink to the location of the case identified
by Dispatch. This then needs to be entered into a separate navigation unit.
o There is currently an absence of the ability to send the location data to a
dedicated NSW Ambulance satellite navigation unit, only the Paramedic’s
personal smart phone.
• Communication
o Communication between Paramedics and other specialized services, such as
MRU, Ambulance Education, hospital Cath-Labs and managerial staff, have been
strictly limited to voice calls, text messages and emails.
o We currently lack the ability to make video-calls whilst mobile on-road.
• Education
o Paramedics are currently required to carry large volumes of reference
materials, such as their Protocol & Pharmacology book, in a printed format.

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o As the material is printed it is expensive to amend and changes can go
unnoticed leading to clinical errors and detrimental patient outcomes.
o Currently an inability to access educational material and services, such as
Janison Learning or HETI Online, whilst on road in an operational capacity
without a desktop computer.

To effectively mitigate the problems identified above; existing and new technologies need to
be integrated into a single convenient and accessible device.
The current needs have been identified:
• Information to be sent in a simple, structured format, that is easier to read with no
interruptions, but maintaining the notification of new information.
• Locations of cases identified by Dispatch to be sent to an integrated satellite navigation
unit that can suggest alternative routes depending on traffic. Or alternatively the
individual Paramedic can easily alter the route based on their preference and local area
knowledge.
• The ability to videoconference other specialized services (i.e. MRU, Cath-Lab, ICP, ECP,
SOT, etc) and other Ambulance staff.
• Quick and convenient access to electronic copies of reference material that can be up-
dated instantly via a cloud server and email notification.
• Access to online learning material whilst on-road to assist with professional
development and education without the need for a desktop computer.
• To reduce costs through reduction of traditional print media within the organization.
• Conduct mandatory daily and monthly car checks in an electronic format to reduce the
use of traditional print media and allow easier archiving of information.
• The device and additional accessories require a low initial purchase price and low
ongoing maintenance costs compared to existing NSW technologies, respectively.
• Fulfill all of the above identified needs on a single portable tablet device with all
technologies and services integrated including access to cellular calls, 4G data and GPS-
based Satellite Navigation.

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4. Goals & Objectives
Goal
• Evaluate the feasibility of integrating multiple NSW Ambulance technologies and
information into a portable electronic tablet to improve access to information,
communication and clinical practice.
Objectives
• Consolidate pertinent dispatch information into easy to read data with integrated
navigation details onto a portable electronic tablet in an effort to reduce average
response times.
• Demonstrate the ability to videoconference specialized clinicians and NSWA support
staff on a portable electronic tablet to improve clinical care and communication among
staff.
• Minimize clinical and medication errors by having all available information and
pertinent reference material easily accessible on a portable electronic tablet.
• Promote professional development and education among staff by improving access to
educational services and information.
• Assess if replacement of traditional print media with portable electronic tablets and
dissemination of information and publications via electronic media is a more cost
effective and environmentally sustainable alternative.
• Conduct the project in a manor that adheres to NSW Ambulance’s ethics, values,
policies and procedures.

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5. Procedures
• The Project Founder will do the initial proof-of-concept and device template. This will
be submitted to the specified Project Supervisor to whom they are reportable.
• The device template developed will require approval for use in the trial and is to be
sought prior to the commencement of Phase Two.
• The Project Founder will develop an information package to be submitted to the
specified Project Supervisor. The information must include:
o The Project Proposal
o Clearly specify the participants role and responsibilities in the project
o Detail the features of the device
o Demonstrate how to use the device
o Demonstrate how to safely secure and charge the device in a windscreen mount
whilst adhering to safe WHS practices and NSW road rules and regulations
o Detail limitations of the device
o Include required questionnaires
• The Information package will be disseminated to participants of both trials and
respective managerial teams.
• Data collected from both trials will be consolidated and analyzed by interested parties.
• A cost/benefit analysis will be conducted.
• The Project Founder and Project Supervisor will conclude the project by discussing
and detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the project and it’s potential to become
an integrated NSW Ambulance technology.
• Participants will be disseminated the results and evaluation of Project PIIT.

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6. Timetable
Description of Work Start and
End Dates
Phase One Conduct an initial proof-of concept and establish a
template for other devices.

Integrate NSWA technologies, services and
information using current availability.

Seek approval for extended access to NSWA
technologies, services and information to
integrate services available to clinically
specialised and managerial staff.
20 April 2016
– 30 April ‘16
Phase Two Apply the template to two additional tablets.

Identify appropriate locations within the
ambulance to place cradles for the device whilst
adhering to safe WHS practice and NSW road
rules and regulations.

Identify locations to safely charge the device
within the ambulance whilst adhering to safe WHS
practice and NSW road rules and regulations.

Develop an information package for staff on how
to use the device, it’s features, the goals and
objectives and the individuals role in the project.
1 May 2016 –
7 May 2016
Phase Three
– Trial 1
Conduct an initial trial with 5 NSWA paramedics
at Sydney Ambulance Centre using all 7” tablets.

Schedule weekly meetings to gain feedback and
development ideas from participants.

Generate questionnaires to be completed by
participants at the beginning, middle and end of
the trial. This will assist in measuring the
development of the project against its goals &
objectives.
7 May 2016 –
4 June 2016
Phase Four
– Trial 2
Conduct a second trial with the devices allocated
to one specific car each at Sydney Ambulance
Centre. This will allow access to a wider range of
participants as well as testing for performance
whilst in use 24/7.

4 June 2016 -
2 July 2016

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Schedule weekly meetings to gain feedback and
development ideas from participants.

Generate questionnaires to be completed by
participants at the beginning, middle and end of
the trial. This will assist in measuring the
development of the project against its goals &
objectives.

Phase Five Continue on-going development of the devices
and technology, service and information
integration, as each is made more available and
accessible.

Integrate technologies, services or information
identified as lacking by participants.

Resolve issues identified by participants.
Continuously measure the effectiveness of the
devices and its degree of integration against the
outlined goals & objectives.

Record all costs associated with the device, its
purchase, systems integration and on-going
maintenance.
1 April 2016 –
2 July 2016
Phase Six Utilize the data obtained from both trials to
perform a cost/benefit analysis and determine the
project’s feasibility as an addition to the NSWA
portfolio.
2 July 2016 –
9 July 2016

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7. Budget
The proposed budget is detailed below. The Project Founder exclusively funds the project.
Expense Cost Qty Total Cost
Phase One Lenovo Tab2 A7-20

TPU Silicone Case Cover + 3x Clear Screen
Protectors For Lenovo Tab2 A7-20

Adjustable Car Windscreen Suction Mount
Holder For Universal 7-12'' Tablet

Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard w/ Touchpad
+ Stand Holder for Android Tablets

$97.00

$11.58

$11.56

$38.98
1

1

1

1
$97.00

$11.58

$11.56

$38.98
Phase Two 7" A33 Android 4.4 Tablet

Aluminum Wireless Bluetooth Mini
Keyboard For Android Tablets

Adjustable Car Windscreen Suction Mount
Holder For Universal 7-12'' Tablet

$49.79

$17.39

$11.56

2

2

2

$99.58

$34.78

$23.12

Phase Three Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile SIM Card

Telstra Pre-Paid Data SIM Card

$30

$30
2

2
$60

$60
Phase Four Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile SIM Card

Telstra Pre-Paid Data SIM Card

$30

$30
2

2
$60

$60
Phase Five No projected expenses - - -
Total $556.60

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8. Key Personnel
Key personnel involved in Project PIIT include;
Client NSW Ambulance
Project Founder Alexander Brooke
NSW Ambulance Zone
Manager – Project Supervisor
Ryan Lovett – Zone Manager
Lead, Operational Digital Engagement Strategy
NSW Ambulance Duty
Operations Manager
Jordan Emery – Duty Operations Manager
Sydney Ambulance Centre
Trial 1 (Ideal) Participants Christopher Townsend, John Georgiadis, Joseph Douch, Janice
Yusi, Jessica King, Alexander Brooke
Trial 2 Participants Staff willing to participate assigned to a vehicle with a designated
tablet.
IT support relating to NSWA
technologies
State Wide Service Desk

9. Evaluation
Project PIIT is constantly under review, evaluation and development due to the nature of it. As
detailed in Section 5:‘Procedures’ regular submissions to approval bodies is required to
ensure adherence to NSWA policies and procedures.
Throughout the two trials questionnaires will be gathered in conjunction with formal weekly
meetings and informal conversations with participants involved. Recordable data will be
measured against the aforementioned objectives to determine if Project PIIT is achieving its
goal.
The Project Founder, Project Supervisor and all relevant NSW Ambulance departments and
staff will conduct a final evaluation.

Alexander Brooke, Project
Founder

Date: _____________
Ryan Lovett, Zone Manager,
Project Supervisor

Date: _____________
Jordan Emery, Duty
Operations Manager

Date: _____________

Project PIIT (1)

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