This PAAW driven initiative simply awaits Governor Walker's signature

A bill introduced by Rep. Paul Tittl and Sen. Sheila Harsdorf has passed both the Assembly and Senate, and is on its way to the Governor’s desk.  Once signed by Governor Walker, the new law would let the Department of Revenue apply its tax refund intercept program (TRIP) to debts owed to all Wisconsin ambulance services who wish to access it. 

Essentially, DOR could reduce a person’s tax refund by the amount needed to cover theunpaid costs of those services as long as they were performed pursuant to a contract with a municipality or county and are in response to a 911 call in that area. TRIP does not, however, apply to patients with Medicare or Medicaid. 

Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc, proposed the bill, and, according to his office, it arose from complaints that some ambulance companies carry bad debt because when insurance carriers mail a check directly to the patient for the cost of their services, the money is not always used for its intended purpose in paying the ambulance bill.

According to PAAW President Patrick Ryan, “Because of the efforts of PAAW, now all 911 ambulance providers can use TRIP as a means to collect on bad debt that continues to go unpaid by the patient for  vital services rendered to them. This is another tool to help insure the strength and vitality of EMS in Wisconsin”.

The Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin has pursued TRIP legislation the past seven years, with the last two years showing the most promise in getting passed.  PAAW is represented by Michael Brozek with Midwest Strategies, a government relations firm in Madison.

CBS News 58 in Milwaukee recently interviewed Bell Ambulance Operations Director Chris Anderson regarding TRIP.  Click the player below to watch.

National EMS Week is May 17 to 23.  It is a great time to create community and department events and opportunities around EMS, and spotlight the people who deliver patient care and operate within the system.  National EMS Week is sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians and the National Association of EMTs.

To coordinate the occasion, Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed Wisconsin EMS Week, May 17-23.  >> Click to download Governor Walker's Wisconsin EMS Week Proclamation

The Wisconsin EMS Office issued a statement, "We would like to thank you for your partnership in the Wisconsin EMS System. Your contributions to the Wisconsin EMS System ensure the highest level and quality of pre-hospital emergency medical care in your communities throughout Wisconsin. As always, the EMS office and the Department of Health Services appreciates your commitment to EMS in Wisconsin and our continued partnership to make the system the best it can be."

>> Click to listen now or go to http://tobtr.com/s/7522693

Meet real life Firefighter Paramedic John Gage from EMERGENCY!  Learn why he believes the 1970s hit TV show was such a success - and why it's still referred to so often nearly 40 years after it first aired.  The NBC program was watched by 30 million viewers per episode for seven straight years from 1972 to 1979.

Randolph Mantooth is widely known for his role as Paramedic John Gage in the TV series EMERGENCY! -- the show that transformed America's perception and approach to emergency medical care in the 1970s and introduced millions to the word "paramedic" for the first time. Mr. Mantooth is a popular speaker at Fire and EMS events, and an advocate for firefighter health and safety.  His website is www.RandolphMantooth.com.

Upcoming Wisconsin EMS Live show webcasts:

>> May 12 HIPAA Compliance, Social Media and Employee Law.  Guest attorney Scott LeBlanc and Paralegal Carrie Noonan from Godfrey & Kahn Law Firm (Milwaukee and Madison offices).  Also, meet new nationally featured writer and Critical Care Paramedic from Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance Crystal Wallin, and discover more about her featured writings in her new blog, "Standby for Tones". 

>> June 9 EMS Drugs:  The Chain of Custody, Diversion and Best Practices.  Guests: Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Wisconsin Supervisor Kathy Federico, Wisconsin Ambulance Inspector Paul Schilling, and Baraboo District Ambulance Chief Dana Sechler.

More information at www.PAAW.us/wisconsinemslive

The Wisconsin EMS Advisory Board announced it will have sub-committee elections.  Interested persons are encouraged to apply for committee positions by May 26, 2015.  Elections will take place at the June 3 EMS Advisory Board meeting at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells.  All applicants are invited to address the EMS Advisory Board at the June 3 meeting. 

Subcommittees are formed to address specific issues and develop recommendations for EMS Advisory Board consideration.  There are four subcommittees accepting applications:

1. System Quality and Data
2. EMS Education and Training
3. EMS System Development and Management
4. EMS Physician Advisory Committee

All persons interested in serving on a subcommittee should submit their application (Form F-00568) to dhsemssmail@wisconsin.gov by Tuesday, May 26, 2015. For more information about the WI EMS Board information, please visit https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/boards/index.htm.

Within the past few weeks, the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin began featuring  writings on its website by Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance employee and Critical Care Paramedic Crystal Wallin.

According to PAAW Executive Director Joe Covelli, "We never considered a writers blog until PAAW board member and Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance Executive Director Tom Tornstrom shared the idea."  He added, "Tom shared a few of Crystal's writings with me.  She has the ability to put you, as the reader, right in the human experience as an EMT and patient caregiver - and the range of emotions the job and work life deliver." 

Covelli shared Wallin's featured writings with EMS World Editorial Director Nancy Perry, who quickly agreed it is very good.  Perry offered Wallin space at EMSWorld.com for her writings and visibility to an audience of 50,000 online readers.  EMS World is a leading national EMS magazine and online publisher of EMS news, information and content.

According to Wallin, "This is all so surreal".

>> Click to review Wallin's featured blog, "Standby for Tones".

(Picture insert:  Crystal Wallin, featured writer and Critical Care Paramedic at Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance, La Crosse.  Photo credit: Peter Thomson, La Crosse Tribune)

On April 27, Bound Tree Medical Product Manager Stacy Barksdale-Price reported short supply of critical EMS drugs, and that their company is on allocation status with two of the manufacturers.

According to Ms. Barksdale-Price, "Both Hospira and IMS have reported their emergency prefilled syringes (Atropine, Cal Chl, Epi, D50 and Bicarb) are now on allocation and the shortage status is expected to continue until September.  The allocation status means that they are only fulfilling quantities that are consistent with each of their customer’s (e.g., Bound Tree) average monthly demand (based on the last 12 months).  To prevent lengthy backorders, as these manufacturers are restricting our purchases to average monthly volumes, we encourage our customers to maintain their usual ordering patterns on these items at this time."

>> Click for April 27, 2015 Pharmaceutical backorder report

On April 16 a letter was sent to fellow Wisconsin legislators about changing the minimum ambulance staffing requirements to allow one member of a two-person legal crew to be an Emergency Medical Responder (LRB 1636/1 and LRB 15-2224/1). 

With input from local providers, state Representatives Jeff Mursau and Bob Kulp and Senator Terry Moulton intend to introduce legislation to change ambulance staffing requirements and help struggling volunteer ambulance services across Wisconsin.  Their letter is seeking co-sponsors to the proposal with a reply date of April 24.

Currently, two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), licensed registered nurse, registered physician assistant, physician, or a combination of these individuals are required when transporting an individual. This legislation would allow an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) to act as one member of a legal ambulance crew.  The bill also requires the EMT (or higher license level) to remain with the patient at all times during care and transport of the patient.

In their letter seeking co-sponsors they stated, “The proposal would immediately provide necessary relief for the staffing shortages caused by the difficulty of recruiting and retaining EMTs, especially in the volunteer services providing coverage in rural areas. Additionally, it would be a valuable tool to recruit new squad members as First Responders without the pressure to immediately commit to the additional education requirements of an EMT”.  They also stated, “Many rural emergency ambulance volunteer services are in a state of crisis with few staff to cover a necessary 24/7 service to their communities”.

Those interested in considering or currently developing Community Paramedicine concepts and programs in their local area are invited to join a conference call dedicated to the topic.  The call is scheduled every other week and open to anyone interested.  It is led by Patrick Ryan with Ryan Brothers Ambulance (Madison) and PAAW President.

The number of participants continues to grow.  Currently, there are 15 to 20 who join on a regular basis, mostly in ambulance administration, from throughout the state.  Current topics include CP curriculum, training, drafting CP legislation, community health "gap filling", and more.

If you have a question, wish to be added to the contact list, or receive the dial in phone number, email Patrick Ryan at president@paaw.us.

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