Dubuque Fire Department Launches Health Data Exchange with UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital

We live in a society where the spread of information is almost always immediate. We're as they say, a generation that never has to wait to find something out. In the same way that we can get breaking news or headlines at a moments notice, shouldn't our health care providers be able to access important information in the same way? Well, that open and efficient communication is something the Dubuque Fire Department is hoping to enhance with their local partners at UnityPoint Health - Finley Hospital, according to a recent news release.

To help make that possible, the Dubuque Fire Department has added a new tool called the Health Data Exchange module, or HDE, (some places call it a Health Information Exchange) to its electronic patient care reporting system. This is the program paramedics use to record a patient’s condition and any care provided during an emergency. Now, instead of that information staying only in the EMS system, it securely connects to the hospital’s electronic health record. This means that when a patient arrives at Finley Hospital, the medical team can immediately see the vital signs, medications, procedures, and the situation the paramedics handled before arrival. This means that care can continue without delays, repeated testing, or accidental double or incorrect dosing.

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What really makes this system different is that the information can now moves both ways. Once the hospital has finished treating the patient, key details like a final diagnosis, any treatments, and observed outcomes are sent back to the paramedics. This is a MAJOR change. In the past, EMS crews rarely learned what happened after a patient was handed off. They often had to rely on personal follow-ups, which were not always possible. The new system gives them clear, timely feedback so they can understand how their care influenced the patient’s recovery.

To understand why this matters, imagine a stroke call for EMS. Paramedics must make quick decisions and provide urgent care. EMS teams can learn what worked well and where processes could be even faster/better. This is done by confirming later that the patient DID have a stroke, what type it was, and how quickly treatment continued in the hospital. Over time, this new information sharing system will strengthen emergency response and improve patient outcomes.

This secure data exchange is the first of its kind in Iowa, and it was built carefully to follow all HIPAA privacy rules. Even EMS agencies that use different reporting software can still connect using a secure interface, so they can benefit from the same real-time information flow.

Overall, this system strengthens communication, supports smarter decision-making, and helps ensure that patients receive consistent, informed care from the moment paramedics arrive to the moment hospital treatment is complete. It represents a major step forward in improving outcomes for emergencies like strokes, heart attacks, trauma cases, and pediatric situations in Dubuque. Even better, it helps the entire community benefit from shared knowledge and collaboration to provide better, more reliable health care, quickly.