“What every Iowan can expect from Emergency Medical Services”

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

 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!

 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

 Dispatch  First Responder  Ambulance  Basic  Advanced  Helicopter  Hospital  Emergency Department  Trauma Center  ICU/CCO  Specialized Care  Rehabilitation

 October 2006 EMS Advisory Council  the Bureau should continue to develop draft standards and appoint partners to assist.  2006 EMS Stakeholder Group  formed with 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

 Grants for April 2008 – 2010  Calhoun  Des Moines  Jones  Woodbury

 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

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

 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

 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

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

 Lack of volunteers  Lack of daytime responders  Difficulty is recruiting and retaining personnel  Daytime coverage issues  Time commitment factors

 Difficulty in assuring personnel are available to respond:  EVERY day  To EVERY emergency  EVERY time they are needed

 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

 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?

 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)

 Elderly in need of assistance  Falls who need help in getting up  Blood pressure/blood sugar checks

 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

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

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

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!

 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

 Review the EMS System Standards at: s_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

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