64 JEMS | JULY 2017 WWW.JEMS.COM
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THE UPS & DOWNS OF EMS
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
In a victory for mobile integrated
healthcare (MIH), Washington state
legislators recently passed a law that provides
sustainable funding for community paramedicine programs. Governor Jay Inslee signed
House Bill 1358 into law in May, which promises to reimburse fire departments and EMS
for treating Medicaid patients who don’t need
ambulance transport to an ED.
Local first responders are celebrating the
law as a win for patient-centered care. This
law allows EMS to be recognized and used
less as a transportation service and more as a
healthcare partner that serves it community
throughout the continuum of patient care. It
will also help prevent costly and unnecessary
transportations if the patient is first treated
in their home.
This is just the latest development in Washington’s support of community paramedicine.
In 2015, a law was passed that allowed med-
ics to help treat patients, even when it’s not
an emergency
We give a thumbs up to the Washington
state government for realizing the importance
of supporting community paramedicine pro-
grams and mobile integrated healthcare. This
shift puts patient health and comfort first,
streamlines the state’s emergency healthcare
system and further strengthens the bond EMS
has in caring for their community.
PROTECTING RESPONDERS
The New York state senate has passed
a bill that would designate crimes
committed against fire, police and EMS professionals as hate crimes, therefore carrying
heftier fines and sentences. The Community
Heroes Protection Act would bump up the
level of such crimes, turning a class C felony
into a class B felony, etc.
This legislation comes after a recent increase
in crimes against first responders. In 2016, 21
police officers were killed ambush style, which
was the highest amount in more than 20 years.
A total of 135 officers were killed while on the
job in 2016—the most since 2011.
Senator and former EM T Phil Boyle said in
a press release, “With the staggering increase
of targeted attacks on our law enforcement
and emergency personnel, this crucial piece
of legislation shows our steadfast support for
our first responders and that we’ll do every-
thing we can to protect them.”
We give a thumbs up to New York state
legislators for committing to defend the state’s
first responders and for taking a stand against
senseless attacks. Although one law may not
completely prevent people from harming
invaluable medics, firefighters and law offi-
cers, it does send a message that such crimes
will not be tolerated in any capacity. JEMS
STROKE CERTIFICATION
Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Va., recently earned a
In addition to offering comprehensive
stroke care, the Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center provides stroke education programs to local fire and EMS professionals.
Not only does this training help hone the
skills of EMS workers, it also helps strengthen
collaboration between prehospital providers
and the hospital.
Depending on the severity of a patient’s
stroke symptoms, EMS can confidently take
the patient to Bon Secours DePaul Medical
Center knowing the patient will receive the
best treatment in the region.
We give a thumbs up to the Bon Secours
DePaul Medical Center for their dedication to
the education and treatment of strokes. Rais-
ing awareness as well as the hospital’s ability
to provide exceptional and rapid interventions
for strokes will surely save lives.
Richard Young (left), a firefighter advanced EMT, and Heather Joyner, a firefighter paramedic with Norfolk
Fire-Rescue, deliver a patient to Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Va.
Photo courtesy Richard Muldez/Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System
