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patients, safety experts and researchers in an extensive process to <br />develop a new ambulance design that allows us to provide care in a <br />vehicle that is safer both for our employees and our patients. <br />“Our employees showed patience, understanding and appreciation <br />for this pursuit,” says our president and EMS chief, Brian LaCroix. <br />“Members of the design team shared blueprints and plans during <br />staff meetings and established avenues for communication. We asked <br />caregivers and mechanics to provide direct feedback and share ideas for <br />further change or improvement.” <br />After testing three design prototypes, we launched the final design into <br />use in September 2016. Thirteen ambulances were delivered in 2016; <br />nine will be added in 2017, and an additional nine in 2018. <br />The Allina Health EMS leadership team also felt it was important <br />to share our efforts with the state EMS Regulatory Board. “The <br />Board embraced the need for innovation to improve the EMS care <br />environment for our patients and clinicians,” says LaCroix. “In fact, our <br />Regulatory Board created a work group to explore existing ambulance <br />standards so they can recommend standards for future inclusion in <br />Minnesota regulations.” <br />Allina Health EMS remains vigilant in our support of a <br />culture of safety at our organization. We will continue <br />to give our providers the safest equipment possible to <br />support them in doing their jobs. <br />We know that if we take good care of our employees, <br />they in turn will take good care of our patients—and our <br />communities. <br />18 19 Allina Health EMS Community Report