The American Ambulance Association honors the EMTs, Paramedics, dispatchers, and leaders of the dozens of ambulance services who answered America’s most desperate call for help.

Ten years ago, in August and September of 2005, the one-two punch of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated over 93,000 square miles across 138 counties and parishes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Together, the two storms caused $150+ billion dollars in damage and resulted in the deaths of more than 1800 people. Within this tragic narrative, the rapid and effective mobilization of EMS—particularly private EMS—stands out as an incredible accomplishment in disaster response and humanitarian relief.

It seems apparent the Wisconsin legislature is well on its way to taking steps to allow First Responders to operate as one member of a two-person ambulance crew in the state. 

The measure is designed to help communities, typically in the rural areas of Wisconsin, struggling to meet current minimum staffing requirements of two EMT-Basics, to get their local ambulance out-the-door and to the location of a 911 call.  Neither Senate or Assembly bills attempt to place restrictions on a community’s ability to use a First Responder, because of population size or area in the state.  Thus far, the only requirement in both bills is an EMT-Basic or higher credentialed crew member is to be in the patient compartment of the ambulance during transport.

On August 18, the Assembly’s Committee on Health held a public meeting at the State Capitol.  Those who registered and spoke at the public meeting seemed to do so in favor of proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 213.  No one opposed it.  The Senate approved its version, Senate Bill 143, on June 9.

We’ll cover this topic in more detail during the live program of “Wisconsin EMS Live” webcast on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 starting at 9:00 a.m.  Dial-in using 646-929-1081, or listen on any internet connected device at http://tobtr.com/7870921.

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW) recently received a demand letter from the Wisconsin EMS Association’s (WEMSA) attorney, that it cease using the name, “Wisconsin EMS Live” for its monthly webcast due to a potential likelihood of confusion between “Wisconsin EMS Live” and WEMSA’s registered service mark “Wisconsin EMS Association.”  

PAAW disagrees with WEMSA’s position and believes it would be able to mount a successful defense of the “Wisconsin EMS Live” name on the grounds WEMSA is attempting to assert its service mark by also claiming the broadly used industry reference “Wisconsin EMS”.  Given these facts, information, and in consultation with its attorneys, PAAW has decided to change the name of its popular webcast rather than engage in what could be a long and expensive legal battle between the two organizations.

Since PAAW’s monthly webcast, Wisconsin EMS Live, debuted in March 2015, over 3,700 listeners have either listened live or downloaded an episode of the show. The webcast’s content, co-hosts, guests, and listeners make the program what it is and the early success it has experienced, not the program’s name.

Listen to PAAW’s next webcast on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 starting at 9:00 a.m. as they unveil the new name for their webcast.  Dial-in using 646-929-1081, or listen on any internet connected device at http://tobtr.com/7870921.

On August 20, WKOW-TV in Madison, Wisconsin, posted an interview and news video highlighting the opening of Wisconsin's first community paramedicine clinic, with more still to come.

After seeing a previous news story this past April on community pararmedicine, Ryan Brothers Ambulance was contacted by apartment managers at a complex in Madison.  They invited Ryan Brothers to open an on-site clinic to benefit their residents.

According to PAAW Executive Director Joe Covelli, "Isn't it great to see how the community responded by seeing an opportunity to use community paramedicine, a new and emerging concept, to benefit its residents with an on-site clinic.  There are all kinds of healthcare needs that go unmet everyday in Wisconsin - community pararmedicine is about filling those gaps".

>> Click to watch video news story.

>> Click to download this webcast.

What does performance measurement have to do with EMS?  According to EMS Compass, a performance based initiative, it has everything to do with improving patient care and demonstrating value.

Unfortunately, data collection and performance measures haven’t been part of EMS’ vocabulary.  It is true it’s been hard to measure performance and come up with the right tool that wasn’t labor intensive.  Some ambulance services have a formal process to collect data, but many don’t.  The Wisconsin Ambulance Run Data System, commonly known as WARDS, is an option, but clunky.  Some have simply relied on what others gave them – like on-scene time reports from dispatch, or scene to balloon time for a stemi patient brought to the CATH Lab. 

According to Dia Gainor with the National Association of State EMS Officials, “Measuring performance is the first step toward improving it.”  I couldn’t agree with her more. 

Currently, there is a national project underway to fund EMS Compass, an initiative to develop performance measures specific to EMS.  They are making great strides with a team of 50 software developers – many of whom are volunteering their time.   Nick Nudell is the project manager.  Let’s find out what he has to say in this episode of EMS to the Point.

>> Click to download this webcast.

PAAW led initiative allows all Wisconsin ambulance services to use TRIP.

By Patrick Ryan, President, Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin (PAAW) is very pleased to announce that on August 6, 2015, Governor Scott Walker signed Act 59 into law. This law allows counties and municipalities to certify private debts owed to private ambulance services operating on behalf of a county or municipality to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR). PAAW has worked diligently on this piece of legislation since 2008.

The financial stability of Wisconsin’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is vital to the health and well-being of all citizens of our state. This expansion of the Tax Refund Interception Program (TRIP) will help support the entire EMS system and will significantly enhance services’ ability to collect reimbursement for services provided. PAAW wishes to thank Representative Paul Tittle (R-Manitowoc) and Senator Shelia Harsdorf (R-River Falls) for their assistance and support of this effort. 

>> Click to read Act 59 (2015 Senate Bill 40 - TRIP) signed into law by Governor Scott Walker

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin is pleased to announce the 2015 group of Wisconsin Stars of Life honorees, individuals who represent the best-of-the best in our industry as nominated by their respective department or organization.  

Twenty-six honorees will be presented with awards and recognition at two events in Green Bay.  The first is a welcome reception at Lambeau Field Atrium on September 23.  The second is the dinner and awards program during the Paramedic Systems of Wisconsin Conference on September 24.  Each nominee is also invited to the Wisconsin State Capitol this fall.  One person from the group will advance to represent Wisconsin at the National Stars of Life ceremony in Washington, D.C. in April 2016.

2015 Wisconsin Stars of Life honorees include:

David Allen nominated by Amherst Fire District/Portage County EMS

Susan Armstrong-Schlegal nominated by Saukville Fire Department

Dr. Charles Cady nominated by the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin

Tyler Christifulli nominated by Lifestar Emergency Medical Services

Julie Dehne nominated by Valders Ambulance

Dan Diestler nominated by County Rescue Services

Marlene Dirkes nominated by Gold Cross Ambulance / Mayo Clinic Medical Transport

Clayton Emons nominated by Gold Cross Ambulance Fox Valley

Deonne Eske nominated by Ashippun Fire Department

Kelsey Esser nominated by Tri-State Ambulance

Kevin King nominated by Shawano Ambulance Service

Matthew Koepp nominated by Baraboo District Ambulance

Thomas Konieczka nominated by Greenfield Fire Department

Larry Krueger nominated by the Town of Sheboygan First Responders. 

Jon Masi nominated by Paratech Ambulance

Buck McAlpin nominated by the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin

Beth Morando nominated by Ryan Brothers Ambulance

James Poltrock nominated by Kenosha Fire Department

David Robbins nominated by Ryan Brothers Ambulance

Nick Romenesko nominated by Gold Cross Ambulance Fox Valley

Amy Smith nominated by Tri-State Ambulance

Dr. Steven Stroman nominated by De Pere Fire Rescue

Rebecca Versey nominated by Orange Cross Ambulance

Christoph Walters nominated by Paratech Ambulance

Amy Zehr nominated by Tri-State Ambulance

Walt Zehr nominated by Tri-State Ambulance

The next live broadcast of Wisconsin EMS Live is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, starting at 9:00 a.m. central time and running 60 minutes.

You can listen by either dialing 646-929-1081, or listen on any internet connect device by clicking this link:  http://tobtr.com/7772401

Our guest from 9:05 to 9:20 a.m. is new Wisconsin EMS/Trauma Medical Director Dr. Suzanne Martens.

From 9:20 to 10:00 a.m. we'll discuss the latest news and information taking place throughout EMS in Wisconsin, and also open the phone lines and email inbox for your questions.  Some of our topics include:

Email questions to wisconsinemslive@paaw.us.

Join program co-hosts Chris Anderson, Joe Covelli, Patrick Ryan and Dan Williams.

Listen to previous programs in the archive.  Some of the topics include avoiding drug diversion, community paramedicine, the evolution of paramedics with Randolph Mantooh (aka John Gage from EMERGENCY!) and others.

Emphasis is:

The two-day on-site program is Wednesday and Thursday, September 9 and 10.  It will be held at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minnesota is one of a few states truly leading the community paramedicine movement across the United States.  Participants will see firsthand from both the ambulance provider and patient's perspective a fully working, successful program and system.  Go on home visits with dedicated community paramedics.  Best of all, receive valuable information, ask questions, and get real world answers. 

Suggested participants include:  ambulance service, hospital and home health administrators; patient care providers and advocates; medical directors; and government leaders and elected officials.

The two-day program is being presented by Buck McAlpin and Peter Carlson, both at North Memorial Medical Center's community paramedicine program.  According to PAAW Executive Director Joe Covelli, "Both Buck and Pete are graciously offering their time, access, and expertise to this learn and exchange opportunity".  Covelli added, "Group size is limited to 25 participants, and we've had 10 sign up already".

A modest fee is being charged:  $100 for PAAW members and $150 for non-members (deduct $25 for each additional participant from the same organization).  Travel, meals and hotel costs are additional.  Again, group size is limited to 25 participants.

For additional information or to register, contact PAAW Executive Director Joe Covelli at 414-236-4192 or email admin@paaw.us.

Manufacturers restricting quantities being released through September

According to Bound Tree Medical's Stacey Barksdale Price, Manager of EMS Pharmaceuticals and IV Therapy, "The epinephrine 1:10,000 shortage is of highest concern as both Hospira and IMS are restricting quantities that they are releasing. They are releasing product intermittently, but it is not at the levels that meet customer demand. Both companies project this allocation status to remain in effect on this and other prefilled syringes through September."

>> Click to review the latest weekly EMS pharmaceutical and IV backorder report.