The Department of Health stopped issuing medical incident report (MIR) forms as of January 24, 2019, when the last of the department's inventory ran out. To learn more about the program to phase out department-issued MIR forms, please refer to the information provided below.
EMS services are encouraged to create and print their own medical incident report forms (also known as patient care reports), or begin electronic reporting, per the requirements listed in WAC 246-976-330. For more information on how to get started with electronic reporting in the Washington Emergency Medical Service Information System (WEMSIS), contact the WEMSIS administrator at WEMSIS@doh.wa.gov.
To find a list of vendor software that is most compatible with WEMSIS, see the NEMSIS V3 Compliant Software Testing Status webpage.
Additional information about electronic reporting is also available on the WEMSIS webpage.
Phase-out of Department of Health issued medical incident report (MIR) forms
In 2018, the Emergency Medical Services Program at the Department of Health conducted a cost assessment of the printing, shipping and administration of the medical incident report (MIR) forms the department supplies to the emergency medical services (EMS) entities that order forms from the department. Not all EMS services in Washington order forms from the department.
The cost assessment of the MIR form program is part of a larger, on-going, agency-wide effort to establish lean and efficient processes that add value to the department's work and demonstrate conscientious stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Based on the outcomes of the cost assessment, the department has determined, with the support of the Prehospital Technical Advisory Committee, to discontinue providing MIR forms. The estimated date to discontinue providing MIR forms was set for June 30, 2019, or when the department's inventory was depleted. The actual completion date was January 24, 2019. This will affect only the EMS services that had previously received forms from the department.
The department emailed regular updates and reminders to EMS services concerning the progress of the MIR form phase-out.
- What is a medical incident report (MIR) form?
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A MIR form is a three-ply document EMS services may use to record information about a medical emergency response per the requirements outlined in WAC 246-976-330. A copy of the document is given to the receiving facility, and the EMS service retains another copy for records retention. Sometimes MIR forms are also called patient care reports.
- What are my other options?
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Print: EMS services may create and print their own medical incident reports either in-house or through a local printer.
Electronic reporting: EMS services may start reporting electronically. For more information on how to get started with electronic reporting in the Washington Emergency Medical Service Information System (WEMSIS), contact the WEMSIS administrator at WEMSIS@doh.wa.gov.
To find a list of vendor software that is most compatible with WEMSIS, visit the NEMSIS V3 Compliant Software Testing Status page.
Additional information about electronic reporting is also available on the WEMSIS webpage.
- What results of the cost assessment prompted the Department of Health to discontinue the MIR forms?
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Declining demand: The number of EMS services that order MIR forms from the department is declining, as more EMS services move to an electronic reporting system or choose to print their own medical incident report forms. In 2017, only four percent of EMS services in Washington State ordered MIR forms (17 out of the 456 aid and ambulance services in the state at the time) from the department.
Availability of alternative options:
When the department surveyed EMS services that had ordered MIR forms in the past, most indicated they had either transitioned to another reporting method or could transition to another reporting method if the department ceased to provide MIR forms.
Cost: The cost the department incurred to print, ship and process MIR forms is greater than the revenue received from the MIR form order payments. The department has determined that raising the price of MIR forms to cover incurred costs would not be value added to EMS services. It may be of more value for EMS services to print similar forms individually or transition to electronic reporting.
Unmandated program: Washington State statutes or rules don't require the department to provide MIR forms. Each EMS service is responsible to ensure that patient care reporting methods are established. See WAC 246-976-330 for more details on EMS patient care reporting.
- How did the department inform EMS services about the phase out program?
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The department scheduled regular email announcements and reminders that were emailed to EMS service supervisors until the program was completed.
- Who may I contact with questions about the MIR form phase-out?
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Please email questions to HSQA.EMS@doh.wa.gov.