Welcome letter from PAAW President Patrick Ryan
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May 9, 2012
PAAW to Host Monthly Legislative Update Conference Calls: First One Scheduled for May 21 at 10:00 AM
On May 3, President Patrick Ryan announced the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW) would begin to host monthly Legislative Update conference calls the third Monday of every month, with the first one scheduled for Monday, May 21 at 10:00 AM.
According to President Ryan, “PAAW is very pleased to be able to provide another tremendous value to our members in the form of this standing monthly Legislative Update. Both Mike Brozek and Brian Schimming of Midwest Strategy Group, a Madison based firm, bring years of experience and expertise to the table. In this tumultuous political time in our State, I encourage all members to take advantage of this valuable resource each month.”
PAAW members are encouraged to attend monthly Legislative Update calls and to place on their calendar as a standing meeting each month. Again, the call is scheduled every third Monday of the month starting at 10:00 AM.
The Association will also extend an invitation to non-PAAW member ambulance service leaders to attend Legislative Update calls on a quarterly basis or from time to time. As a side note, membership is not exclusive. Ambulance services, first responder groups and fire departments running EMS calls are welcome to join PAAW. If joining PAAW right now thru June new member dues are simply $150.00 for the remainder of the year, and also include all your employees. For more information, contact Joe Covelli at joe@paaw.us. To download the new member application, click here.
May 7, 2012
EMS Drug Backorders Carryover Into May and Possibly Much Longer
With the ongoing delay in receiving pharmaceutical products and sufficient supply for ambulance services, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin continues to post every Monday about 12 noon a weekly EMS drug backorder report courtesy of Bound Tree Medical (that includes information for EMP as well). The report is based on manufacturer information and estimates, and does not represent a guarantee of fulfillment (information subject to change).
To review the most current reports and EMS drug backorder information, click here.
May 3, 2012
Critical Care Paramedic Discussion Hosted by State
The Wisconsin EMS Office is holding an open discussion meeting regarding the critical care level in Wisconsin. The purpose of this discussion is to elicit ideas for the regulation and oversight of this practice level. We will share briefly where we are and how we created this level and how it was intended to operate.
Interested persons are cordially invited to attend this meeting via Microsoft Office Live Meeting. You will need a computer with web access and speakers. A microphone is required if you wish to speak. There is an option to type in questions should you not be able to facilitate a microphone. Please mark your calendars and follow the test procedures well before the meeting to assure any technical issues can be resolved prior to the meeting. No confirmation is required just log on and participate.
TUESDAY
MAY 22, 2012
1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M.
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April 23, 2012
Funding Alternatives for EMS and Fire Announced
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), supported by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Health Affairs (OHA), and in partnership with the International Fire Services Training Association (IFSTA), announce the revision and release of Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services (PDF, 3.7 Mb). The latest edition provides the most up to date information regarding funding for local level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and fire departments. The document includes sources of federal funding as well as other new and innovative funding sources not discussed in previous editions.
"Adequate funding is one of the most challenging issues facing EMS and fire departments today," said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. "This document provides valuable information for local-level departments facing financial challenges."
A key part of the project initiative was an enhanced study of critical funding issues for both fire and non-fire service based EMS systems.
"OHA is pleased to provide guidance on this important topic," said Dr. Alexander G. Garza, DHS Assistant Secretary for OHA and Chief Medical Officer. "Funding is critical for the successful operation of EMS response agencies – key to this nation's homeland security."
EMS and fire departments require funding for expenses such as equipment, training, and salaries in order to provide necessary protection to their respective communities. However, with tighter budgets, less government subsidies, and fewer donations, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for fire and emergency services departments to meet greater and more complex demands for its services.
"IFSTA was proud to work with USFA and OHA to provide this much needed information," said Mike Wieder, IFSTA Executive Director.
Further information on USFA's EMS research initiatives may be found on the USFA website.
April 10, 2012
HHS Delays Implementation of ICD-10 Patient Billing Codes
Listen now to an audio webcast dedicated to this topic!
As expected, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed delaying the effective date for use of the ICD-10 coding system. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius had previously announced the Department's intent to seek delay from the October 1, 2013 effective date to some new date.
The proposed date for adopting and using ICD-10: October 1, 2014. HHS hopes that the additional time will give providers sufficient opportunity to make the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 more smoothly. Part of the motivation for delaying ICD-10 implementation was the experience HHS observed making the transition from 4010 to 5010. Full adoption and implementation of the 5010 platform is essential to adoption and use of the ICD-10 classification system.
The date change will not be official until published as part of a final rule. However, HHS does not anticipate serious opposition to delaying the ICD-10 effective date.
April 10, 2012
MedPAC EMS Study
Included in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act that passed last February, was a requirement for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to conduct a study of the appropriateness of the add-on payments for ambulance providers; the effect these add-on payments have on ambulance providers' Medicare margins; and whether there is a need to reform the Medicare ambulance fee schedule and, if so, what should such reforms be, including whether the add-on payments should be included in the base rate.
Click here for an overview of the study on ambulance services that is currently being conducted and will be submitted to Congress on June 15, 2013.
March 28, 2012
State EMS Medical Director on Drug Shortage:
Be Flexible
(Newest Audio Webcast Presents Conversation, Options)
Click here to listen now!
If you're the one responsible to reorder EMS drugs, you know your options are becoming limited to replenish your medications. To make matters worse, because the backorder problem continues to persist with limited relief insight, you know your stock of medications in the ambulance and supply room will soon be used up or expired. Now what?
The CBS television station in Boston reported on March 27th that ambulance services in that area were already on their second and third substitute for a drug used for seizures.
In this EMS to the Point audio webcast, Dr. Charles Cady, State of Wisconsin EMS Medical Director, offers some suggestions and thoughts around the EMS drug shortage. He also encourages EMS directors, managers and chiefs to proactively work with their local EMS Medical Director. Most importantly, know your options, think beyond the problem and what it will take to manage it, and most importantly, be flexible.
Using substitute medications require protocol changes and retraining staff to potentially different manufacturer packaging and concentrations, as well as opens the door to greater risk of pre-hospital drug errors. Wisconsin is a Home Rule state, so one short-term option discussed in the webcast is to have EMS administer medications past the manufacturer's suggested expiration date with prior local EMS medical direction approval. Your local EMS medical director must be involved and make the final decision, but it deserves further conversation and offers a potential short-term solution that may help your next 911 patient who would otherwise go without pain relief, cardiac or seizure meds and more.
EMS Drug Shortage Conference Call - Held Every Month!
Watch for details when the next monthly conference call will be. Guest presenters include:
- Dr. Charles Cady, State of Wisconsin EMS Medical Director
- Fred Hornby, ALS Coordinator (Paramedic), State of Wisconsin EMS Office
- Stacey Barksdale Price, Pharmaceutical Marketing Manager, Bound Tree Medical
March 27, 2012
Free Program Offered May 24 to Spotlight Rural EMS
The Office of Rural Health will host on May 24 in Sauk City--Rural EMS in 2012: What You Need to Know. There are a number of speakers scheduled to talk on a variety of topics, including working successfully with your medical director, an update on the status of the community paramedic program in Wisconsin and information from the Department of Health Services EMS Section on rule changes covering critical care transfers, education requirements, and more. Registration will be free but seating will be limited.
Click here for brochure and registration information.
March 15, 2012
2012 EMS Week Website Offers Wealth of Ideas
National EMS Week, May 20 to 26, is a great opportunity for ambulance personnel to share with 
their community what they do and how they prepare their truck, equipment and operation for treating sick and injured people, and serving as the community’s emergency medical safety net. Some of the hard stuff is coming up with the right idea and executing it.
Well, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) has made it a bit easier. A website, hosted by NAEMT and sponsored by EMS World, provides opportunities for EMS practitioners to explore new ways to celebrate, participate in, and grow their profession. The dedicated website presents a wealth of ideas, so start your search today at www.emsweekideas.
EMS Week is presented nationally each year by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Click here to order a free copy of the 2012 EMS Week Planner Kit. Each year ACEP designs a new logo to mark EMS Week. The 2012 EMS Week logo is shown at left.
March 8, 2012
PAAW SPECIAL REPORT
EMS Doesn't Escape Pharmaceutical Drug Shortage
Listen Now to a two part audio webcast series dedicated to the topic.
Medical p
ractitioners and patients are frustrated. Pharmaceutical companies cite quality control and capacity issues for short supplies. Drug shortages persist - and seem to be getting worse, with longer wait times and delays to get product in.
According to the FDA, drug shortages tripled between 2005 and 2010. Delivering quality patient care for ambulance workers may be as good as managing your pharmaceutical backorder report to have product on the shelf or in the rig available when it's needed.
This two part series discusses the issues faced by EMS wo
rkers from the perspective of pharmaceutical product distribution, and suggestions and timely information available to you to be proactive in supply replenishment, as well as with the State of Wisconsin EMS Office, and options available to you. Guests to the program include, Part I, Stacey Barksdale Price, Marketing Manager, Pharmaceuticals and IV Therapy, Bound Tree Medical and, Part II, Fred Hornby, ALS Coordinator (Paramedic), State of Wisconsin EMS Office.
In addition, as of late February, PAAW is posting a weekly pharmaceutical backorder report and manufacturer update from Bound Tree Medical, the nation's largest EMS medical product distributor, every Monday at about 12 noon. Click here to review the latest report.
PAAW is pleased to partner with the following industry leading organizations:
