The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is aware that some hospitals, EMS agencies and other providers are experiencing shortages of N95 respirators and we are strongly recommending that this type of respirator should only be utilized when necessary per policy statement 20-02 version 3.0 (see web link below).

N95s should not be used for influenza-like illness (ILI) for which there are no indications that Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) may be present. Typical ILI only requires the use of face masks. 

Hospitals, EMS agencies and providers should coordinate N95 usage with their infection control teams to ensure that N95s are only used when appropriately indicated.

https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/pdf/20-02.pdf

The MVHS Stroke program is pleased to offer a free night of education with dinner provided to give you a chance to learn about Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) Strokes. Meet the stroke team directly & ask questions you may have! 
Also, save the date as we are currently planning another educational evening of this kind on April 23rd. More details to come as we get closer!
Thanks so much for your time. I hope to see you there!

Effective January 1, 2020 and continuing through 2024, ground ambulance providers and suppliers that have been selected to participate in the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System must collect information on cost, utilization, revenue, and other service characteristics in accordance with the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection Instrument for a continuous 12-month period.  The information collected will be used to evaluate the extent to which reported costs relate to payment rates under the Medicare Part B Ambulance Fee Schedule (AFS), as well as to collect information on the utilization of capital equipment and ambulance capacity, and the different types of ground ambulance services furnished in different geographic locations, including rural areas and low population density areas (super rural areas).  Failure to sufficiently submit the required information will result in a 10 percent reduction to payments under the AFS for one year, unless a hardship exemption has been granted or an informal review has determined that your organization is not subject to the 10 percent reduction to payments.

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AmbulanceFeeSchedule/Downloads/Ground-Ambulance-Data-Collection-System-Sampling-Instrument-Considerations-Recommendations.pdf

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AmbulanceFeeSchedule/Downloads/Medicare-Ground-Ambulance-Data-Collection-System-Instrument.pdf

This document is designed to provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) practitioners, agencies and systems with interim guidance regarding the outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that began in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China on December 2019.

This guidance should be considered for the development of response plans and is not intended to supersede any infectious disease response plan that has been developed and approved by local, State or Federal authorities legally charged to do so. This guidance does not constitute a response protocol but serves as a reference for general considerations and the protection of responders.

EMS agencies are encouraged to adopt policies and procedures regarding response and treatment of all patients with communicable diseases. EMS agencies should assure that all personnel are provided with information regarding the outbreak of 2019-nCoV and any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 respirators, including guidelines for the use of such PPE.

For updates and additional information regarding this 2019-nCoV outbreak, please visit the following web pages:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

For questions regarding information in this advisory or information you’ve received about this outbreak from other sources, please contact the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems.

Additional updates will be provided as more information about the virus is released. 

Ryan Greenberg

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of a long standing Midstate advocate.   Dr. Garrett passed away earlier this week.  Dr Garrett (Mike) was instrumental in the creation of the Midstate Region.   He provided guidance and medical oversight to our “new region”.  It was under Dr. Garrett that our Paramedic Program began, and our Education Program grew.  Dr. Garrett served in both St. Luke’s and Oneida Healthcare Emergency Departments during his career. 

The United New York Ambulance Network (UNYAN), American Ambulance Association, MultiMed Billing and North Eastern Rescue Vehicles have partnered up for a one day seminar on CMS ambulance Cost Data Collection. If you bill for ambulance service, you will be required to submit your cost data to Medicare.

The Dan Broedel’s Sunday morning Basic EMT class AND the Melissa Lockwood’s Sunday morning AEMT class (both held at the Midstate Training Center) have been cancelled for tomorrow, Sunday, January 19th. Classes will resume as usual next Sunday.

MONDAY Jan 20, 5PM Griffiss International Airport, 645 Bomber Drive Rome NY 13440

TOPICS: Inhalation Injuries & Cyano Kits – Analgesia & Sedation – Managing Combative Patient

Each quarter our clinical education staff here at Mercy Flight Central holds a CME night for our Flight Clinicians. Historically these were opportunities for our providers to take part in “m&m” discussions based off of complicated cases our they’ve encounter in the field. As part of our professional growth and development our Medical Director Dr. Galton wanted to extend an invite to all of our Rome area EMS professionals. This opportunity is FREE and we are providing pizza and refreshments for the attendees during the presentations.. We request that attendees pre-register for the event via our Facebook page so that we can obtain an accurate head count for seating and refreshments. Thank you and take care!