Electronic Records Rollout Underway at SA Ambulance Service

The South Australia Ambulance Service (SAAS) is embarking on a transformative journey to modernize its operations by introducing a cutting-edge cloud-based electronic patient care record (ePCR) system. This initiative will replace the current practice of handwritten documentation, paving the way for more efficient, accurate, and integrated healthcare services across the state. The ePCR system, developed and managed by health IT specialist Dedalus under a 10-year contract valued at $16.2 million, signifies a significant step forward in leveraging technology to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

The ePCR system will be hosted on Microsoft Azure, ensuring secure, scalable, and reliable performance. It is currently in the development and testing phase, where it is being tailored to meet stringent clinical requirements and governance standards. The rollout is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, with the new system set to be deployed across SAAS’s extensive fleet of 500 ambulances. Once operational, paramedics will be able to electronically record patient data in real-time during emergencies, eliminating the reliance on handwritten clinical case cards, which are currently digitized manually after the fact.

This modernization effort is expected to revolutionize how ambulance crews handle patient information, improving the speed and accuracy of data capture and ensuring seamless communication between first responders and healthcare facilities. Over time, the ePCR system will be integrated with hospitals’ electronic medical records (EMRs), enabling a unified, streamlined flow of information that will enhance decision-making and patient outcomes.

The initiative is a central element of the South Australian Government’s 2024-25 State Budget, which has allocated $23.5 million to upgrade the ambulance service’s patient record system. SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton expressed strong support for the project, describing it as a pivotal advancement for the state’s emergency medical services. “We are now one step closer to having an electronic patient care record system across the South Australian Ambulance Service,” he stated. “This will bring ambulance patient care records and ambulance data into the 21st century.”

Minister Picton highlighted the system’s potential to act as a “game-changer” for SAAS, emphasizing its role in improving data accuracy, streamlining workflows, and ultimately delivering higher-quality care to patients. The implementation of this technology will allow paramedics to focus more on providing immediate care while ensuring that critical patient information is efficiently captured and transmitted to medical facilities.

Beyond improving immediate patient care, the new system reflects a broader commitment by South Australia to embrace innovation in healthcare. By investing in advanced IT solutions such as the ePCR, the state aims to create a more resilient and future-ready emergency medical infrastructure. The ability to capture and share real-time data will not only improve patient outcomes but also support better resource management and operational decision-making across the healthcare system.

The introduction of the ePCR system underscores the government’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of its healthcare services and addressing challenges such as growing patient volumes, rising expectations, and the demand for seamless digital integration. This modernization effort represents a significant step forward in ensuring that South Australia’s ambulance service remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation, well-prepared to meet the demands of a dynamic and rapidly evolving medical landscape.