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EMS: Wisconsin Ambulance Run Data System Elite

NEMSIS v3.5 Training 6/14/23

Recorded training session with overview of NEMSIS v3.5 upgrade

The Division of Public Health (DPH) has a secure, web-based reporting system. It’s called Wisconsin Ambulance Run Data System (WARDS) Elite. Ambulance service providers use WARDS Elite to add and submit their ambulance run information.

Sign in to WARDS Elite

What is WARDS Elite

WARDS logo

WARDS Elite is a system that offers each ambulance service in Wisconsin:

  • Ambulance run reporting, which includes:
    • A chance to set up and track continuous quality improvement within the system.
    • Custom options for each service.
    • An internal email system that doesn’t go into cyberspace.
    • Over 50 pre-programmed quality assurance and/or quality improvement reports.
    • Run reports for printing.
  • Ad hoc reporting.
  • A dashboard to post notifications for both the state EMS (Emergency Medical Services) section and each service provider.

Note: You can use other third-party data collection or electronic patient care reporting programs. However, they must:

  • Be able to work with WARDS Elite.
  • Get certified by the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS).
  • Pass the required Schematron file.
  • Get a validation score of at least 96.

WARDS Elite benefits

There are many benefits to using the WARDS Elite system:

  • WARDs Elite is easy to use and free to Wisconsin ambulance service providers.
  • The system replaces the written ambulance run report with an electronic report.
  • All data that’s available to a service stays current.
  • The system includes continuous quality improvement functions.
  • Managers can quickly access service information for annual reports, budget requests, training records, and other performance measures like EMS Compass.
  • The system helps find interventions that work best for patients. It compares interventions used with different conditions and patient outcomes.
  • The system allows you to use less costly pads and tablets with touch screens for better data entry. You no longer need a full computer or laptop.
  • Hospitals can access the Service Run Report as soon as its entered or uploaded to WARDS Elite.

How to access WARDS Elite

WARDS Elite is a secure system that requires a user ID and password. To access WARDS Elite:

  1. Make sure your Local Credential Agreement for a service is approved through the EMS E-Licensing Portal. All licensed personnel get a WARDS Elite account.
  2. Go to the ImageTrend Elite login page, and select Log in to Elite.
  3. Use your E-Licensing login information to log in to WARDS Elite.

If you ever need to recover your password, you can use the recovery process on either login page. Questions? Call 608-266-1568 during business hours or email dhsemssmail@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Wisconsin Hospital Hub

Hospital staff: To access care reports for patients transported to your facility, use the new Wisconsin Hospital Hub. This database gives you access to past WARDS v.2 reports and new WARDS Elite v.3 reports.

We’re working with trauma and EMS coordinators to provide administrative level access. This function lets them maintain their own roster of staff with access. To request access as a user or administrator, call 608-266-1560 or email dhsemssmail@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

NEMSIS and version updates

WARDS Elite works with NEMSIS, a national database. NEMSIS stores collected data from all participating states. You can access data on many topics, such as:

  • Disposition.
  • Elapsed times and delays.
  • Medical- or trauma-related transports.
  • Specific diagnoses like cardiac arrest.

None of the data that NEMSIS receives has any patient’s protected health information. Wisconsin has been providing data to NEMSIS since 2013.

WARDS Elite v.3.4

The most current version of WARDS Elite is v.3.4. It’s based on NEMSIS v.3 and can accept either v.3.3.4 or v.3.4 data. These resources can help find data that’s required or optional for services across Wisconsin to provide:

WARDS Elite training aids

View WARDS Elite Account Aids, P-02173. These offer instructions on the following (expand a section to learn more):

Accessing Image Trend University, P-02173 (PDF)

There are also Free Training Sessions from ImageTrend.

You can use the WARDS Elite test site for practice. Use these usernames with the password Testing1 to access the test site, based on permission level:

  • Service provider—Username: emsprov
  • Service director—Username: servdir
  • Medical director—Username: meddir

Questions? Contact dhsdphwards@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Last revised August 18, 2023