|NASEMSO News

NASEMSO to Meet in Providence, Rhode Island, May 21-24, 2018

(05/18/18) The National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) will hold its Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, May 21-24, 2018. The national conference brings together state emergency medical services (EMS) officials from the nation’s 56 state and territorial EMS offices, federal officials with a role in EMS, and affiliated
organizations and individuals with an interest in emergency medical services. State EMS officials
include those who license ambulance services and EMS personnel (paramedics, EMTs and emergency medical responders) in their respective states, as well as physician medical directors, EMS data managers, pediatric emergency care managers, trauma system managers, and emergency preparedness coordinators. NASEMSO news release.

Feedback on Final Draft of National EMS Scope of Practice Model Requested by May 31, 2018

(05/15/18) NASEMSO, under contract from the USDOT NHTSA Office of EMS and USDHHS HRSA EMS-C, is soliciting feedback on the third and final draft of the 2018 National EMS Scope of Practice Model (“Practice Model”) prior to publication. During the past 18 months, a subject matter expert panel solicited public comments and updated the 2007 document to prepare a revision to the National EMS Education Standards. The expert panel was tasked to define entry-level expectations, the minimum requirements in advance of gaining field experience, to ensure a level of national consistency.

Although some jurisdictions already exceed the Practice Model where coordination between the state and EMS medical director have determined that an experienced practitioner with proper education and oversight can safely serve the local needs and health of the public, the expert panel determined that increasing the Practice Model to the level of an experienced practitioner would create an unsustainable burden in time and expense to programs and individuals without substantial measurable benefit.

Download the current 2007 version of the National EMS Scope of Practice Model and the 2018 Final Draft Revision. Those who wish to provide input should complete the online form by 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 31, 2018.
 

|EMS News & Resources

Missouri and New Hampshire Join REPLICA

(07/10/18) Governor Chris Sununu signed SB 370 on July 2, 2018, paving the way for New Hampshire’s entry into the Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA). The bill was introduced in December 2017 and passed in one legislative session. The law becomes effective on August 31, 2018. New Hampshire will be the 15th state to join REPLICA and the first New England state to pass REPLICA legislation.

Governor Mike Parson signed SB 870 on July 6, 2018, finalizing the legislation for Missouri to become the 16th state to join REPLICA. This legislation has been under consideration for two years and represents the support of many persons and advocates. Special recognition goes to Rep. Kathleen Swan for her tireless support of this initiative. The law becomes effective on August 28, 2018. Missouri joins its adjacent neighbors from Kansas, Nebraska and Tennessee as members of REPLICA.

As a result of the new legislation in these two states, EMS personnel in New Hampshire and Missouri will be afforded a privilege to practice under authorized conditions in other REPLICA states. Congratulations to both states

CMS Releases Guidance on How States Can Leverage Medicaid Technology to Address the Opioid Crisis

(06/18/18) On June 11, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance through State Medicaid Director’s Letter SMD#18-006 on how states can leverage Medicaid technology to address the opioid crisis. EMS is identified as partners that could benefit from having access to prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) data through health information exchange. The letter also reiterates to State Medicaid Directors the importance of adding data sources, including EMS data, to the Medicaid system to help close referral loops, enable appropriate follow-up, and coordinate patient care.

NREMT Appoints Bill Seifarth as New Executive Director

(06/12/18) The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians on June 12 announced the appointment of Bill Seifarth as its new executive director. An industry veteran, Seifarth brings more than 20 years of experience to the position, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) leadership at both the state and federal levels, along with a background of managing several comprehensive certification programs. Download NREMT press release.