Midstate EMS Update

Faxton St. Luke’s EMS Programs

November 2012

DOH BLS Agency Update
The Department of Health requirement of BLS Agencies to complete the "packet" has been extended to December 31,2011. Agencies that do not complete this packet will not be eligible for state funding for EMS Training after that date. The Program Agency and Course Sponsor are available for assistance in completing this packet.

Trauma Patients (Midstate Policy 11-02)
At the October 25, 2011 REMAC meeting the Trauma Medical Control Policy (policy Statement #11-02) was approved. Resource will direct all pre-hospital trauma criteria patients to St. Elizabeth for medical direction and destination. This policy will allow for immediate direction from the St. Elizabeth Trauma Center for pre-hospital trauma patients in the Midstate Region.

Trauma Patient Inter-facility Transfers
When transporting inter-facility trauma patients to SUNY – Upstate, EMS crews are requested to advise SUNY about 10 minutes prior to arrival. Anytime the patient condition changes the SUNY Trauma teams has requested an up-date.

Provider Suspensions (Midstate Policy 11-03)
When an ALS Provider is suspended or sanctioned by an Agency Medical Director, that Agency will notify the Program Agency and REMAC Chair. A meeting (including the REMAC Chair, Clinical Coordinator and 1 additional REMAC Physician) will be conducted to review the specific case and if the issue warrants regional suspension the Provider will be notified of the decision.

12 Lead EKG’s
After several years it appears we may be close to obtaining the equipment and software to receive pre-hospital 12 lead EKG’s in the next few months. One issue that has been identified by several hospitals is the labeling and attaching the 12 lead to the Pre-Hospital Chart. Please assure prior to leaving the hospital a copy has been left with the chart that includes the patient’s name, time and date.

Combined County EMS Meeting
The March 21, 2012 EMS County and QA meeting will be a combined meeting held at the Training Center in Utica. This meeting will provide an opportunity for all our providers and directors to meet and share "best practices’ and review operational issues. The meeting will be open to all Midstate Region Agencies and Providers.

Non – Smoking Facilities
All Midstate Hospitals are non-smoking facilities; EMS Providers are reminded that includes
ambulance parking areas. Please refrain from smoking on all Midstate Hospital properties.