2023 National EMS Week Recap
Author: Lauren Cantley This year, we celebrated the 49th anniversary of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. EMS Week was originally authorized by President Gerald Ford on November 4, 1974, for the week of November 3rd–10th. Starting in 1992, EMS Week moved to the third week of May. This week of …
EMS as an Essential Service
Author: Lauren Cantley It may come as a shock that not all states consider emergency medical services (EMS) as essential, but such is the case for the state of Idaho, as mentioned in the article “Capitol Letters: Senate Moves to Reform EMS Funding,” written by Ryan Suppe, which discusses EMS …
Team-driven Improvement in the Use of Lights and Sirens
Originally posted on http://www.ems1.com March 14, 2023 Author: Brian Maloney and Mike Taigman Plum EMS of Pennsylvania has a track record of making meaningful improvements. From doubling their intubation success rate, to producing consistent top-tier customer satisfaction, this team knows how to produce results. Of the 12,000 calls they have …
Today’s Biggest EMS Department Challenges
Author: Lauren Cantley In February 2023, PCG sponsored a webinar with NAEMT & ICMA-CPSM titled, “EMS in Critical Condition – Analysis of National Survey on EMS Economics and Operations”, which was attended by over 350 EMS leaders, as well as municipal and county officials. The webinar explored the scope of …
The End of the PHE and the Impact on Vaccine & COVID-19 Testing Costs
Originally Posted on PCG’s Health Policy News on March 30, 2023. Author: Rhea Lieber On January 31, 2020, Secretary Alex Azar of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a nationwide Public Health Emergency (PHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past three years the PHE …
New Federal Proposed Telehealth Rules will Affect Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
Originally Posted on PCG’s Health Policy News on March 30, 2023. Author: Eliza Mette In a continuation of our series examining the end of the COVID-19 federal Public Health Emergency (PHE), we do a deeper dive into federal telehealth flexibilities and policies that will expire. Among those flexibilities is a …
Scholarship Opportunities – Applications Due May 1st
Author: Kyrstyn Paulat Do you want to progress in your career through continuing your education? Are you looking to waive membership fees for a national association? Are you looking for a tuition waiver for emergency medical services (EMS) specific leadership training? Now’s the time! The Fitch EMS Foundation Scholarships are …
National Public Health Week – PCG Thanks All Fire & EMS Agencies!
Author: Michelle Silvestre Public Consulting Group (PCG) celebrates and promotes National Public Health Week (April 3-9). We thank Fire & Emergency Medical Service (EMS) agencies who play an enormous role in public health efforts. From standing in the front lines of a public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, …
The Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule Increased, But Will It Help?
Author: Kyrstyn Paulat On October 14, 2022, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Transmittal 11642 (Change Request 12948), which announced the Medicare Ambulance Inflation Factor (AIF) for the calendar year 2023. The AIF is calculated by measuring the increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers …
How Pairing Paramedics and EMTs with Police Can Combat Rising Mental Health Crises in Communities
Author: Zachary Anta There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic is the largest global health crisis we have faced in generations. The pandemic caused major implications and uncertainty on all facets of life, health, and the economy. Social isolation, inflation, and financial pressures coupled with many more crippling impacts …