News

EMS Advisory Council Addresses Issues Facing Providers

BY SUSAN NICOL

12/15/2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A myriad of issues facing EMS providers and agencies across the country will be addressed by the National EMS Advisory Council.

During their first face-to-face meeting on Tuesday, the new council came up with a "bucket list" of 60 issues or ideas that could be explored or researched further.

Following extensive discussion, they voted on a number of things to focus on.

Committee assignments and the specific subjects to be tackled will be made in the near future, NEMSAC Chair Dia Gainor told the group.

Members of the council represent a wide spectrum of expertise from providers to physicians, representatives of fire service organizations, EMS educators, hospital officials and other stakeholders.

Among the issues getting the most votes included:

A need for lead Federal EMS agency with clear responsibilities and line of authorities.
Leadership development
Create EMS protocols that are evidence based and seamless between first response and transport
Health Care Reform implementation and changing landscape of EMS
Base reimbursements on performance standards not transport and readiness for defined geographical areas.
Public education and information
Research into patient outcomes after EMS intervention
Better standardization and collection of EMS-related data to determine if we are making a difference.
Integration of EMS with other health and public health partners.
Absence of governmental responsibility...insure that EMS is an "essential function" of local and state governments.
Interstate credentialing and licensing including how to handle volunteers at major incidents.
Evidence-based guidelines on system design and development
Equitable access to federal grants for EMS agencies including private/non-profit EMS providers that do emergency work.

After relaying the tally, Gainor said she was surprised that safety wasn't among the priorities.

She said the issue is a major concern, and believes it should be included in discussions by the council.

The inaugural NEMSAC --appointed in 2008 -- made a number of recommendations last year involving safety including encouraging NHTSA to work with FICEMS to assure integration and utilization of EMS illnesses, injury and fatality surveillance databases across federal agencies.

They also spoke of the need to develop and nurture relationships to improve consistency of terminology and access to data sources on EMS illnesses, injuries and deaths.