National EMS Weekend of Honor 2021

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in News, Press.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Tammy Chatman, Public Affairs
414-791-6655

National EMS Weekend of Honor 2021

New dates and location announced

Washington, D.C. (April 4, 2021) – The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride (NEMSMBR), the National EMS Memorial Foundation (NEMSMF) and the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) announce that the 2021 National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor, originally scheduled for May has been moved to July 23-25, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, Arlington, VA. The goal for the reschedule was to balance our commitment to provide a safe and healing environment for all attendees while providing special recognition for the many participants who remain on the front-line of the COVID-19 response. The ceremonies will pay tribute to the past two year’s honorees-2019-2020-due to the cancellation of the 2020 events in response to the pandemic.

For those attending the Weekend of Honor and staying overnight, we ask that you please use the link below when booking your hotel rooms. The health and well-being of all who attend are of the upmost importance to our organizations and the hosting facility. Use of the link is critical as it allows our organizations and the hotel to better meet CDC guidelines for safe in-person gatherings over the three days.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASRC/G-A8DT

*For any issues please contact the hotel at 877-803-7534

The Weekend includes a series of events to honor all air and ground Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers who serve in the US, while focusing on those who become ill or injured related to their duty. It culminates with a formal Service to specifically honor those who have died in the line-of-duty.

Brian Shaw, NEMSMBR president states “For the past 20 years the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor begin with the arrival of our cyclist and support personnel meeting the honoree families. With that tradition in mind, and in addition to the five nationwide bike rides we have planned for September of this year, we are actively preparing a one-day ride into this year’s Weekend of Honor befitting our honorees. We will continue to shine a light on the sacrifices those in EMS make. More details will be posted on our website www.nemsmbr.org as they become available.”

This year’s National EMS Memorial Service will pay tribute to over one hundred EMS providers who died in the line-of-duty in the largest service we have ever performed.  It will include numerous historical honorees as well a number of recipients directly related to the pandemic.  Jana Williams, NEMSMS president conveyed, “I reaffirm there has never been a more defining time to honor the service and sacrifice of those in EMS as there remains right now. Despite persistent challenges, we remain committed that the fallen will not be forgotten.  We appreciate the continued support to ensure they receive the full national recognition they deserve.”  The list of honorees and information on the weekend’s events including the National EMS Moment of Silence will be posted to the NEMSMS website at www.national-ems-memorial.org in the coming weeks.

Katie Orsino, NEMSMF executive director shared “We support our partners at the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride and the National EMS Memorial Service as they prepare modified events this year to honor our EMS colleagues. What our first responders have demonstrated especially over the last year has been extraordinary. It reinforces our resolve to bring a permanent EMS memorial to the nation’s capital to honor their commitment, service, and sacrifice. We will not waiver in our efforts to ensure it becomes reality.” Updates on the progress of this effort can be found on at www.emsmemorial.org.

The Weekend of Honor is organized and hosted by the following volunteer-staffed organizations: National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, National EMS Memorial, and the National EMS Memorial Foundation. See http://www.national-ems-memorial.org/ for more information on the specific updates as they become available.

4/15 | End Annual Reviews: Stop Ignoring Your Staff 364 Days a Year

Written by Scott Moore on . Posted in Human Resources, Leadership & Management, Recruitment & Retention, Webinars.

 

End Annual Reviews: Stop Ignoring Your Staff 364 Days a Year
Speaker: Scott Moore, Esq.
April 15, 2021 | 15:00 ET | Free to AAA members!

Have you ever received a performance review that truly drove you to work harder? It is time for employers to rethink the manner and method of providing employee performance feedback. In fact, the concept of performance feedback needs to evolve from a formal annual process to a more fluid ongoing dialogue about the nature and quality of the workplace relationship. EMS organizations continue to struggle with retaining employees, both field personnel and frontline supervisors. This program will discuss why traditional employee performance feedback models often hurt performance. We will cover the latest research on what truly drives employee performance and the innovative ways that high-performance teams are utilizing meaningful performance feedback tools in today’s workplace. Lastly, this session will discuss the important role that organizational culture plays in driving employee performance regardless of the performance feedback model your organization adopts. No matter the model, if your organizational culture does not support a transparent, trusting, and accountable relationship between leadership and your workforce, you will continue to struggle.

Register Now

2019 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, Change Notices

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Operations, Patient Care, Professional Standards, Regulatory.

Download Change Notice

Date:               March 29, 2021

To:                  State EMS Directors

From:              Jon R. Krohmer, M.D., FACEP, Director, Office of Emergency Medical Services

RE:                  2019 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, Change Notices

The National EMS Scope of Practice Model (model) was first published in February 2007 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The most recent version of the model was published by NHTSA in February 2019. The model was developed by the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) with funding provided by NHTSA and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Over the past 14 years, the model has provided guidance for States in developing their EMS Scope of Practice legislation, rules, and regulation. While the model provides national guidance, each State maintains the authority to regulate EMS within its border, and determine the scope of practice of State-licensed EMS clinicians.

Recognizing that the model may impact States’ ability to urgently update their Scope of Practice rules, in 2016 the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) recommended that NHTSA develop a standardized urgent update process for the model. The Rapid Process for Emergent Changes to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model (rapid process) was developed by NASEMSO and published by NHTSA in September 2018.

Using the rapid process, in March 2021 NHTSA convened a subject matter expert panel (panel) to respond to the following questions: 1) Should immunizations via the intramuscular (IM) route be added to the emergency medical responder (EMR) and emergency medical technician (EMT) scope of practice levels?; 2) Should monoclonal antibody (MCA) infusion be added to the advanced EMT (AEMT) and paramedic scope of practice levels?; and 3) Should specimen collection via nasal swabbing be added to the EMR, EMT, AEMT, and paramedic scope of practice levels?

The panel considered the ability of EMRs and EMTs to perform the psychomotor skill of medication administration via the IM route and recommended that IM medication administration be added only to the EMT scope of practice as part of their common daily practice.

The panel considered the ability of EMRs and EMTs to administer medical director approved immunizations and recommended that immunizations during a public health emergency be added only to the EMT scope of practice.

The panel considered the ability of EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics to perform the psychomotor skill of specimen collection via nasal swab and recommended that specimen collection via nasal swab be added only to the EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic scopes of practice as part of their common daily practice.

The panel did not issue a recommendation on MCA infusion.

Based on the panel’s recommendations NHTSA used the rapid process to develop the two attached change notices on IM medication administration, vaccinations during a public health emergency, and specimen collection via nasal swab.

It should be noted that, although the recommendations address the psychomotor skills associated with these specific activities, the assumption of the panel in making the recommendations was that all associated educational activities, knowledge of indications and potential contraindications, other potential skills (e.g.: drawing the appropriate dose of medication up from an ampule or vial [single or multi-dose], supervised assessment of skill competency, and quality improvement activities) would be components of the entire program.

I hope you find these change notices useful to you in meeting the urgent needs of your patients and the practitioners you regulate. In the very near future we will publish a revised version of the model which incorporates these change notices. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Download Change Notice

EMS Mental Health Study

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Employee Wellness, Human Resources, Operations.

“Dynamic psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with mental health in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel”

Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders

Highlighted Findings

  • Emergency medical service personnel have a heightened risk for PTSD and depression relative to other occupational populations.
  • Dynamic psychosocial factors contribute to this elevated risk.
  • Daily occupational stressors predicted elevated PTSD symptom severity.
  • Daily social conflicts predicted elevated depression symptom severity.
  • The meaning made from the day’s challenges and recovery activities predicted lower depression symptom severity.

Full Study

EMS Week 2021 Announcement

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Events, News, Press.

CONTACT
Tracy Hilsabeck
760-815-8432
thilsabeck@redflashgroup.com

For Immediate Release

“THIS IS EMS: CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES” CAMPAIGN TO HONOR EMS PROFESSIONALS DURING ANNUAL EMS WEEK

ACEP and NAEMT campaign celebrates emergency medical services professionals May 16-21, 2021

March 26, 2021—WASHINGTON, DC—The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), in partnership with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), is proud to announce the EMS Week 2021 theme: THIS IS EMS: CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. The annual campaign recognizes the heroes who provide emergency medical services in communities across the country and takes place May 16th -21st this year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to test EMS professionals like never before,” said Mark Rosenberg, DO, MBA, FACEP, president of ACEP. “EMTs, paramedics and other frontline workers are rising to the challenge and each has a crucial role in responding to the public health crisis of our lifetime. National EMS Week is a time to recognize and honor EMS professionals for their tireless dedication to their communities—not just during this pandemic but every day.”

Under the “EMS Strong” banner, the campaign supports and strengthens the EMS community by honoring accomplishments and increasing awareness of the critical role of EMS in communities across the country. Inspiring stories about EMS practitioners can be found on www.EMSSTRONG.org along with the annual EMS Week Planning Guide, a resource for the EMS community and stakeholders to help celebrate EMS Week and promote the value of emergency medical services.

“Throughout the pandemic, EMS has been on the frontlines, caring for the sickest COVID-19 patients, while also staffing COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics,” said Chief Bruce Evans, CFO, SPO, NRP, MPA, president of NAEMT. “EMS Week is a chance for communities to come together and express their gratitude for EMS practitioners. Our nation’s paramedics and EMTs, as well as their families, have been through so much. Recognizing their service and sacrifices is an important step in healing and recovery from the stress and intensity of the past year.”

EMS Week dedicates five days to specific themes, and first responders are encouraged to plan activities and events around these themes in their communities.

  • Monday, May 17: EMS Education Day
  • Tuesday, May 18: EMS Safety Day
  • Wednesday, May 19: EMS for Children Day
  • Thursday, May 20: Save-A-Life Day (CPR & National Stop the Bleed Day)
  • Friday, May 21: EMS Recognition Day

Integral to the campaign’s success is the involvement and support from the corporate sponsors, strategic association partners and strategic media partners.

Corporate Supporters: FirstNet Built with AT&T, Genentech, T-Mobile for Government, American Red Cross, NHTSA/Office of EMS, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), AdvancedCPR Solutions, Boundtree Medical, Laerdal Medical, McKesson Medical-Surgical and North American Rescue.

Strategic Association Partners: American Ambulance Association, Association of Air Medical Services, Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education, Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Flight and Critical Care Paramedics, International Public Safety Association, National Association of EMS Educators, National Association of EMS Physicians, National Association of State EMS Officials, National EMS Management Association, National Fire Protection Association, National Registry of EMTs and National Volunteer Fire Council.

Strategic Media Partners: EMS1.com, EMS World and JEMS/EMS Today. Visit www.EMSSTRONG.org for more information about 2021 EMS Week.

###

About ACEP

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national medical society representing emergency medicine. Through continuing education, research, public education and advocacy, ACEP advances emergency care on behalf of its 40,000 emergency physician members and the more than 150 million Americans they treat on an annual basis. For more information, visit www.acep.org and www.emergencyphysicians.org.

About NAEMT

Formed in 1975 and more than 72,000 members strong, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is the only national association representing the professional interests of all emergency and mobile healthcare practitioners, including emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders, paramedics, advanced practice paramedics, critical care paramedics, flight paramedics, community paramedics and mobile integrated healthcare practitioners. NAEMT members work in all sectors of EMS, including government agencies, fire departments, hospital- based ambulance services, private companies, industrial and special operations settings and in the military. For more information, visit www.naemt.org.

Press Release | EMERGICON Garners Two Awards for Fast-Growing, Private Companies

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in News, Press.

From Emergicon Public Relations

Contact:

Chris Kelley

chris@mpdventures.com

214.457.5266

 

EMERGICON Garners Two Awards for Fast-Growing, Private Companies 

Dallas 100 and Inc. 5000 Texas recognize premier ambulance billing service provider 

 

(TERRELL, TX – March 31, 2021) – EMERGICON, Texas’ largest ambulance billing provider, has been named to two award lists that recognize the fastest-growing, privately held organizations. The company placed:

 

The company growth was further evident in Fall 2020 with EMERGICON’s relocation and expansion of its headquarters to Terrell, Texas. The 15,000-sf facility now houses some 85+ employees.

 

“It’s an honor to be recognized for our fast growth by two well-respected award programs in Texas in the same year,” says EMERGICON’s Founder and CEO Christopher Turner, MHA. “More so, the awards mean that we are being effective in helping EMS providers and Fire Departments in Texas improve their emergency medical billing process and increase their patient reimbursements.”

 

Turner continues, “We’re fanatical about building a great culture and serving Texas EMS providers’ greater mission. The entire team at EMERGICON shares the belief that service comes first, as we support the first responders who save lives and the patients who needed that help in an emergency.”

 

The Dallas 100 awards, presented by the SMU Cox Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship, ranks the top 100 fastest-growing, privately owned businesses in the DFW Metroplex. The 2020 award ranking was based on company revenues over the three-year period from 2017 to 2019.

 

The Inc. 5000 Regional awards, presented by Inc. Magazine, rank the top 250 fastest-growing private companies in Texas from 2017-2019. Over that period, EMERGICON experienced a 50% growth rate. The company was previously recognized on the Inc. 5000 national lists in 2020 and 2019.

 

ABOUT EMERGICON 

As the largest Texas-owned and Texas-based emergency medical services billing company, EMERGICON provides a better solution for processing ambulance billing claims. The company provides a human-based approach to claims management which results in better cash collections and fewer patient complaints than automated services. Founded in 2006, its team is dedicated to compliance, provider reimbursement, and customer service. Learn more at www.emergicon.com or visit its sister company EMERGIFIRE at www.emergifire.com.

CMS | Repayment of COVID-19 Accelerated & Advance Payments Began 3/30

Written by AAA Staff on . Posted in Advocacy Priorities, Executive, Finance, Legislative, Regulatory, Reimbursement.

Repayment of COVID-19 Accelerated and Advance Payments Began on March 30, 2021

CMS issued information about repayment of COVID-19 accelerated and advance payments. If you requested these payments, learn how and when we’ll recoup them:

  • Identify payments we recovered
  • Prepare your billing staff

More Information:

AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
PO Box 96503 #72319
Washington, DC 20090-6503
hello@ambulance.org
NEW! Submit a Support Ticket

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Email hello@ambulance.org to open a support ticket for friendly assistance!

MEDIA INQUIRIES

media@ambulance.org
(Press only, please.)