It has been a busy few months, so I will take this moment to give a few updates that you all might find interesting or pertinent.

First off, the proposed rules have made it through hearing and have been filed. Final rules went into effect on January 25, 2013. Changes were made to OAR 333-250s, OARs 333-255s, and OAR 333-265s. These rules addressed changes such as adding in new requirements for the EMT-Intermediate course curriculum and addressed requirements of the Advanced EMT internship. The requirement for a current state license in another state was removed for reciprocity applicants. In these rules, you will also find that there were definitions laid out for qualified drivers and rural agencies. Standard variance language for rural agencies in regards to the ground ambulance operating requirements when providing intermediate or advances level care, OAR 333-255-0071, and OAR 333-255-0072 were made.

In the EMS world of data, the second quarter of data has now been submitted to NEMSIS. We are currently covering only 14% of the population with current agencies who are reporting their patient data. EMS and Trauma plans on moving forward by asking more agencies to submit their data and by helping agencies who need assistance to submit their data.  The program’s goals for this year will be to represent 75% of the population with collected data, validate data, create a quality improvement strategy, and provide dashboard data for Oregon. The program has sent out an Image Trend survey to identify roadblocks to submitting data by either using Image Trend or submitting data into Image Trend. We are working on creating dashboards with our current data that can be released on a quarterly basis. It is time to move Oregon EMS ahead into a proficient and efficient system, and we need the data to do so.

The State Emergency Medical Services Committee (SEMSC) and the State Trauma Advisory Board (STAB) just filled vacancies for new members after some members terms had expired. The Oregon Health Authority; EMS and Trauma program would like to thank them for their devotion, commitment, and passion in EMS and Trauma.  We sadly say farewell to STAB members Dr. Robert Vissers, Dr. Nicole VanDerHayden, and Dr. Nathan Kemalyan and SEMSC member Johnny Mack. However, we are excited to welcome new members Thaddeus Bishop, Paramedic filling the role of EMS provider, Eric Blankenship, RN filling the role of an emergency department nurse, Melissa Doherty, MD representing an emergency department physician, and Travis Littman, MD representing a general surgeon; all new members on the STAB. We are also excited to announce our new members on the SEMSC Edward Freysinger, filling the role of a hospital administrator who is the CEO for Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and Gary Heigel, Paramedic representing community college. Mr. Heigel is the Department Chair of the Paramedic Program for Rogue Community College.

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