Laptops lighten the load for local ambos

BALLARAT paramedics are going high-tech.Over the next few weeks, Ambulance Victoria's paper-based patient records will be replaced with electronic versions throughout the Grampians region.AV Central Grampians' acting group manager Ken Wilkins said all crews would carry a tablet laptop computer on which patient care information can be entered directly."Under the new system, AV will be able to use the information captured to inform clinical decision-making and enhance our research capability," Mr Wilkins said."It gives us the ability to get more accurate data."The Victorian Ambulance Clinical Information System has been used in Melbourne for the past four years, with Ballarat paramedics being trained in it over the next few weeks.The new technology allows paramedics to print patient information for hospitals and to relay data to a central point for review and analysis.More than 90 paramedics across the Grampians region will use the new system.