More than 800 Wisconsinites died of prescription narcotic painkiller and heroin overdoses in 2013, the most recent year for which there is data available, and drug overdose is now the leading cause of injury death in the United States.

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel teamed up to announce details of a new rebate program for Naloxone, the opiate antidote, that will be administered by the Wisconsin Department of Justice for qualifying organizations.  Wisconsin ambulance services are eligible to apply for the rebate.  >> Click for more information.

EMS Live in Wisconsin Podcast

>> Click to listen now!

This EMS Live in Wisconsin podcast was recorded on Tuesday, April 12.

The program began with an announcement regarding a $6.00 rebate negotiated between Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel and Naloxone (Narcan) manufacturer Amphastar.  Wisconsin ambulance services are eligible, but must file their rebate within 60 days of each quarter's end.  The Agreement expires February 1, 2017.  For more on the rebate program, go to >> http://paaw.us/Amphastar-narcan-rebate.

The second part of the program, starting at 6:00 minutes, included a discussion on stemi drug therapy with guests Dr. Michael Rosenberg, Medical Director-Cardiovascular Services, Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc, Valders Ambulance Director Jay Steuer, and Baraboo Area Ambulance Chief Dana Secular.  Holy Family Memorial Hospital was recently named one of 50 top hospitals in the nation regarding its stemi EMS system.

An emergency room clogged with patients is an unwelcome sight for everyone involved — patients, doctors and other caregivers alike.

Hospitals responded in the past by sending incoming ambulances to other hospitals, sometimes 10 to 15 critical minutes away.

But under a policy that took effect this month, hospitals in Milwaukee County are no longer allowed to divert ambulances when their emergency departments have a high volume of patients.

"We needed to do better for the patients," said M. Riccardo Colella, director of medical services for the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management.  >> Click to read more...

“501 please respond for a male subject who is turning yellowish-orange”

“Copy, 501 en route”

Two females seated in kitchen, one teary. 40s male seated on couch, Mt Dew at hand and completely unconcerned. Denies any symptoms, no medical history of any kind, no medications, and no desire to be seen in the ER.

Wife, brow furrowed; “maybe it’s because I haven’t seen him in daylight in so long”

Mother in law, bent forward with hands on hips, nose inches from patient’s face, inspecting his eyes; “what you maybe need is to go out on the deck and just have a cigarette in the sunlight”

Neighbor arrives, hugs wife tearfully, says to fire personnel; “last time I was catatonic I was going thru my friend’s drawers, almost pulled out my nose ring. That was after I had the grand mal and then went tonic clonic.”

Wife, helpfully; “he isn’t even a drug user!”  >> Click to read more...

PAAW influential in bringing discount to Wisconsin

Standing alongside members of the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW), Attorney General Brad Schimel announced on March 23 details of a rebate program for the heroin and prescription opioid antidote naloxone, also known as Narcan.

 
“Heroin and prescription narcotic painkillers are contributing to more deaths in Wisconsin each year than car crashes,” said Attorney General Schimel. “The Wisconsin Department of Justice is doing, and will continue to do, everything it can to make access to naloxone as easy and cheap as possible.”
 
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals has agreed to provide a $6 rebate for each Amphastar naloxone syringe purchased by public entities in Wisconsin from now until February 1, 2017. Amphastar Pharmaceuticals has reached similar agreements with other states, including Ohio and New York.  PAAW brought these similar state agreements to Attorney General Schimel's attention, which led impart to Wisconsin crafting a rebate with the manufacturer.
 
“Naloxone, often branded as Narcan, can be administered as a nasal spray or injection and works within minutes to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” said Patrick Ryan, President of the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW). “Our public safety and EMS partners across Wisconsin are incredibly grateful for the Amphastar naloxone rebate agreement and believe it will increase access and use of this lifesaving drug, especially when mere minutes could be the difference between life and death once an emergency responder arrives on the scene of an overdose.”

State, county, and local government agencies, as well as law enforcement and other public and government entities that distribute naloxone are eligible for the Amphastar naloxone rebate.
 
The Wisconsin Department of Justice is also exploring rebates with other manufacturers of naloxone.
 
Naloxone rebate instructions and all necessary forms are available below.
 
>> Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Contract
>> Naloxone Rebate - Press Release
>> Naloxone Rebate Instructions
>> Naloxone Account Form
>> Naloxone Purchase Summary

Announcement Media Coverage
>> Wisconsin State Journal, Madison
>> WBAY-TV, Green Bay
>> Fox 6-TV, Milwaukee
>> WKOW-TV, Madison
>> WISC-TV/Ch. 3000, Madison
>> WMTV-TV, Madison
>> Wheeler Report, Wisconsin Representative Nygren

>> Click to listen to this audio webcast.

Last year was a busy year for EMS at the state capitol with three bills passing the Senate and Assembly and ultimately being signed into law by Governor Scott Walker.  New laws that quickly come to mind include the Tax Refund Interception Program (TRIP) spearheaded by PAAW, as well as laws allowing First Responders to operate as one member of a two-person legal ambulance crew, and cross border mutual aid and coverage agreements.

In July 2015 James Newlun took the helm as the State of Wisconsin EMS Director. 

James oversees the state’s EMS Office, which is truly the nerve center for anything and everything EMS.  There are a lot of moving parts that include review of operation plans, event plan approvals and individual, provider and training center licensing requests and renewals.  Wisconsin is a large and robust statewide EMS delivery system that includes over 800 ambulance services and first responder groups and 22,000 licensed individuals.

Recently, PAAW Executive Director Joe Covelli had the opportunity to discuss with James two memos his office released in January about First Responders and mutual aid and coverage agreements.  He’s also working to streamline the way ambulance operation plan changes are submitted to the state.  Once launched in the coming months, the new approach will avoid delays and just be more efficient.

“307 please respond for an 85yr old female, chest pain, one nitro taken”

“307 copy, updated en route”

The address is located on a main thoroughfare and the fire rescue at the curb marks the spot. Generally we try to do our backing as we arrive, utilizing our partner for spotting then rather than at time of leaving. This ensures safe backing practice, since one of us will be with the patient as we leave the scene.  >> Click to read more...

"Standby for Tones" is a monthly blog written by Crystal Wallin, a La Crosse paramedic.  Her stories, written from real life events, bring to light the human experience in having an EMS career and work life.  >> Click to read Crystal's blog.

We switch gears and also discuss EMS Roaddocs

>> Click to listen to this podcast.

On Tuesday, March 8 EMS Live in Wisconsin discussed recent virus and bacteria outbreaks.  The Wisconsin Department of Health Services  is currently investigating into an outbreak of bloodstream infections caused by bacteria called Elizabethkingia.  The Elizabethkingia infection has been detected in 44 patients located in southeastern and southern Wisconsin.  >> Click for full details.

What risks do EMS responders have with the Elizabethkingia bacteria?  What are the presenting signs and symptoms?  What safety precautions or recommendations should be taken?  What patients are at risk?

We also discussed the Zika Virus that is receiving national and international attention.  The good news here is mosquitoes found in Wisconsin are not the same ones identified as a carrier of the Zika Virus.

Our guest on EMS Live Podcast was Stephanie Smiley, Director of Bureau of Communicable Diseases for the State of Wisconsin's Division of Public Health.

In addition, 20 minutes into the program we were joined by Justin Foley, who is a member with EMS Roaddocs, a motorcycle riding club in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.  EMS Roaddocs is made up entirely of full and part time people who work in emergency services, either active or retired, that includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, EMT’s and Firefighters.

>> Click to listen to this podcast.

Next EMS Live in Wisconsin Podcast March 22

Join us Tuesday, March 22 for the next EMS Live program starting at 9:00 a.m. and lasting 30 minutes.  Our guests include Wisconsin DEA Supervisor Kathy Frederico and American Ambulance Association VP of Government Affairs Tristan North.  The US House of Representatives is considering legislation that impacts every ambulance service that carries controlled narcotics.  Dial into the program at 646-929-1081, or listen on any internet connected device at http://tobtr.com/8398779.

On February 12, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Board of Directors determined the organization's 2016 federal legislative priorities, to include:
 
HR 1818/S 235 - Veterans Transition Bill
HR 2366 – Field EMS Bill
HR 4365 – DEA Bill
HR 2274 - National Emergency Medical Services Memorial in DC
 
>> Click here to view the legislative priorities, and obtain further details on each of the bills.

EMS On The Hill Day, April 20, Washington, D.C.
NAEMT is also hosting its annual EMS On The Hill Day April 20 (briefing April 19) in Washington, D.C.  Participates personally meet with their U.S. Senators, House Representative and their Congressional staff.  The event is organized to ensure that Congress fully understands EMS' diverse role — from supporting healthcare systems by managing and redirecting non-emergent patients, to responding to disasters, accidents and other calls for skilled emergency medical care.  >> Click for EMS On The Hill Day information.