Iowa EMS System Standards

“What every Iowan can expect from Emergency Medical Services”

Bureau of EMS

Certification of Emergency Medical Providers

Authorization of Ambulance/Non-transport Services

Authorization of EMS Training Programs

Verification of Trauma Care Facilities Technical Assistance System Development

Bureau of EMS Staff

Bureau Chief Regulation Manager 4 Field Staff Trauma Coordinator Data Coordinator EMS-Children Coordinator Half-time certification assistant Support position

What do you expect from EMS

Help to arrive when you need it 24/7 Staff available to respond on a

consistent basis Consistent service throughout Iowa Funding Iowans expect the same thing!

Who Provides EMS?

Volunteer

Paid Full-time Part-time Paid per call

Non-Transport First Responders Fire Department Law Enforcement Municipal

Ambulance Services Hospital based Private Fire Municipal

What is an EMS System

Dispatch

First Responder

Ambulance Basic Advanced Helicopter

Hospital Emergency

Department Trauma Center ICU/CCO Specialized Care Rehabilitation

EMS System Standards Project October 2006 EMS Advisory Council

the Bureau should continue to develop draft standards and appoint partners to assist.

2006 EMS Stakeholder Group formed with 26-30 individuals reviewing eight areas of EMS System Development

July 2007 First draft received by the Iowa EMS Advisory Council

July – September 2007 Further input from public stakeholders gathered

Pilot Project

Grants for April 2008 – 2010 Calhoun Des Moines Jones Woodbury

Results

Many standards were already being met

Met 45% of the Standards at project start

Met 67% of the standards within two years

After two years all projects met 100% of the Disaster Medical Response Standards

Why are we here today

Build it – Enhance it – Sustain it Provide education on the Iowa EMS System

Standards Project and its impact on EMS Explain the standards and answer your

questions To open the door for discussion of county

based EMS System Planning, Development and Management

Discuss legislative initiatives

Project Goals

Develop “SYSTEM STANDARDS” that will allow for the development of EMS Systems statewide

To provide direction for system development on a county level

To assure ALL IOWANS needs for emergency medical services are able to be met

What are the issues?

In Iowa today, we can not assure that the same standard of EMS will be available in a timely manner across the state!

We can not assure that someone will respond to a call for help!

Inconsistent funding streams; no standardized funding

What are the issues?

Lack of a consistent system Locally County wide Statewide system is fragmented

Personnel related issues

Lack of volunteers Lack of daytime responders Difficulty is recruiting and retaining

personnel Daytime coverage issues Time commitment factors

Personnel related issues continued,

Difficulty in assuring personnel are available to respond:

EVERY day

To EVERY emergency

EVERY time they are needed

We need to improve EMS in Iowa

Some EMS systems are working well, especially in larger communities

Many systems are struggling, especially in rural areas

Difficulty assuring adequate coverage 24 hours a day/seven days per week

Is EMS an Essential Service?

Iowa essential services include: Law Enforcement Fire Department NOT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES! Current regulations/codes allow that EMS

MAY be provided

What if your service closed? Who would respond?

EMS is a Critical Service

Lifesaving impact for Trauma patients Stroke Patients Cardiac/Heart Attack patients

All impacts that are extremely time sensitive

Delay have serious consequences for our patients (neighbor, family, friends)

EMS is the ONLY heath care available in many communities

Elderly in need of assistanceFalls who need help in getting upBlood pressure/blood sugar

checks

Guiding principles of this project

Define basic minimum services and infrastructure for every EMS System

Use clear, concise language Provide minimum standards that are

measurable Improve EMS delivery in our state

Eight Areas System Standards Address

1. System Administration

2. Staffing/Training

3. Communications

4. Response/Transportation

5. Facilities/Critical Care

6. Data collection/System Evaluation

7. Public Information/Education

8. Disaster Medical Response/Planning

System Standards Will

1. Provide a minimum infrastructure that all Iowans can reasonably expect no matter where they live in Iowa

2. Develop an integrated, measurable and sustainable statewide EMS System

3. Establish the minimum size of a system at the county level

4. Develop EMS into an essential service

System Standards Will

5. Consistent, accountable approach to EMS

6. Same standard of service provided across Iowa

7. Help your service and system to improve!

8. Help your service and system meet the needs of your service area!

Where do we go from here?

Education of: EMS providers Allied health stakeholders Elected officials

Begin planning for a legislative initiative to: Implement EMS System Standards in

Iowa EMS as an essential service

Educate Yourself

Review the EMS System Standards at:

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/ems/common/pdf/ems_system_standards/ems_system_standards.pdf

Contact members of the EMS Stakeholders group

Discuss with your IDPH/BEMS Coordinator Attend a EMS Stakeholder Meeting Be informed

Useful Resources

www.idph.state.ia.us/ems http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Co

mmittees/Committee.aspx?id=152 www.nasemso.org www.iom.edu www.nhtsa.dot.gov www.iemsa.net

Questions