Association Update: November 2021

Physician Groups Revise Joint Statement on Air Ambulance Use

The modern use and availability of air medical services has expanded access to various health system resources, including specialty care. While this is generally beneficial, such expansion has also contributed to the complexity of healthcare delivery systems. 

Since the publication of the 2013 joint position statement Appropriate and Safe Utilization of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, research has shown that patient benefit is gained from the clinical care capabilities of air medical services independent of potential time saved when transporting patients. Because the evidence basis for utilization of air medical services continues to evolve, NAEMSP, ACEP, and AMPA believe an update regarding the appropriate utilization of air medical services is warranted, and that such guidance for utilization can be divided into three major categories: clinical considerations, safety considerations, and system integration and quality assurance considerations. 

Read more at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10903127.2021.1967534.  

—NAEMSP, ACEP, AMPA

Template Protocol Available for EMS Monoclonal Antibodies

The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization to permit the use of REGEN-COV coformulated product and REGEN-COV supplied as individual vials administered together for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19. EMS agencies throughout the country have been asked or may be asked to assist in the administration of this product through either route of administration.

To assist EMS agencies in planning, the NHTSA Office of EMS and HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response have developed a template protocol for state EMS offices and EMS medical directors to use to assist in these programs. Some states have created blanket state-level authorizations for EMS administration; some states will still require provider authorization prior to administration. Follow local protocols and regulations—this template is only designed to facilitate the development of those local protocols as needed. 

Find the template protocol at www.ems.gov/pdf/EMS_Template_Protocol_for_COVID-19_Monoclonal_Antibody_Adminis tration_August_2021.pdf. 

—NHTSA Office of EMS

EMS Compact Names Ray Mollers Executive Director

The Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice (ICEMSPP) announced the appointment of Ray Mollers as its first executive director. Mollers will be commission’s principal administrator and responsible for the day-to-day management of the EMS Compact while leading growth, strengthening operations, and increasing collaboration with state and federal EMS officials, partner organizations, and stakeholders. 

Mollers joins the EMS Compact team after serving as the director of stakeholder partnerships with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. During his time at the NREMT, he managed stakeholder relationships and led the creation of a team responsible for enhancing partnerships, improving collaboration among EMS professionals, and increasing communication with stakeholders and state EMS offices. Prior to the National Registry, he served 32 years with the U.S. Army Special Forces and Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Affairs.

—Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice

National EMS Weekend of Honor Salutes 144

The National EMS Memorial Service, National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, and National EMS Memorial Foundation paid tribute to 144 fallen EMS and air medical providers from 39 states during the 2021 National EMS Weekend of Honor, July 23–25 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va. 

On Friday, July 23, 75 participants in the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s special Ride of Honor arrived at the Hyatt. Each carried a pair of dog tags bearing an honoree’s name, agency, and date of their loss. After a short ceremony the riders met with honorees’ families to present one of the dog tags worn during the ride. The riders keep the other as a lifetime reminder of the honoree’s sacrifice. 

The National EMS Memorial Service was attended by approximately 500 EMS personnel from across the country, along with families, friends, coworkers of current and past honorees, dignitaries, EMS and business leaders, and government officials. Approximately 100 honor guard personnel, along with pipe and drum corps, volunteered their time and services throughout the weekend. 

—National EMS Memorial Service