EMS Update: What are the National Issues Ritu Sahni, MD, MPH

Perspective National Association of EMS Physicians – President-Elect National Registry of EMTs – Board Advocates for EMS – Board National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAX) – Member The following slides do not represent official views from these organizations.

NEMSAC Advises National Highway Transportation Safety Admin and Federal Interagency Committee on EMS 21 members. 2 Oregonians – both Chair subcommittee Recent Issues Culture of Safety Lead Federal Agency Evidence Based Guideline Development Alternative Financing

NREMT Implementation of the EMS Education Agenda for the Future National Certification Initial – new levels that are being implemented in Oregon Ongoing (Mark King proposal?) National Accreditation of EMS Education Programs Paramedic schools must be accredited Practical Examination development New levels Practice based Recertification requirements

Advocates for EMS EMS Field Bill Creates a new Federal Lead Agency for EMS Creates Federal grant programs for Local EMS Agencies EMS Initial Education Medical Director Educations State EMS Offices Calls for alternative funding demonstration projects Funding of regionalization in Affordable Care Act

What is meant by alternative funding? Current model (barely) funds ambulance transport Further call for funding based on: Readiness Treat/Release Alternative destinations Overall cost savings (CPAP, STEMI, proper trauma triage, etc) Models break down if “pot stays the same.”

Affordable Care Act Calls for regionalization of emergency care systems Electronic Information Exchange Broader insurance coverage Coordinated Care Organizations. – encouraged in the act (Oregon passed CCO legislation last session)

The end – a quick overview