Wisconsin EMS Live April 14 program dedicated to CP
>> Read Department of Health Response Letter
>> Read EMS Advisory Board Position Statement on CP/MIH
This past November the governor-appointed EMS Advisory Board sent a position statement to the state’s EMS Office about its unanimous support for the inception of Mobile Integrated Health Care and the associated programs and services provided from basic through advanced level of care.
In response to the above position statement, a letter was emailed to board members on March 23. In the letter, Wisconsin Office of Preparedness and Emergency Health Care Director Jennifer Ullsvick stated, “The emerging concept of Community Paramedic/Mobile Integrated Health Care is currently being piloted throughout the country and some areas have begun larger implementation”. She continued, “At this time, we believe that for the state to select and endorse a single model -- through rules or curriculum -- would be premature and would stifle innovation.”
In taking the above position, the Department of Health is encouraging interested parties (EMS services, hospitals, home health agencies, etc.) who identify gaps in their communities to work together in piloting approaches that meet those local gaps, and to work with EMS Office staff to evaluate proposals and see if waivers are needed.
While CP programs have started to pop up in Wisconsin, some as pilot projects like in the case at West Allis Fire Department, other states like Minnesota, Colorado and Texas are well on their way with CP and MIH. Wisconsin’s neighbor to the west, Minnesota, is far ahead of the badger state when it comes to developing models and implementation around CP and MIH concepts. Here’s why...
On April 6, 2011 Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed into law the Community Paramedics Bill (House File 262/Senate File 119), which created certification for emergency medical technicians—community paramedics (EMT-CP) and directed the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services to work with emergency medical service providers, physicians and public health nurses to further determine the services performed by Community Paramedics.
An architect in Minnesota’s CP and MIH development is Buck McAlpin, director of government affairs for the Minnesota Ambulance Association and North Memorial Medical Transportation in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Given his experience in leading the CP/MIH effort in Minnesota, McAlpin’s knowledge and expertise is being sought nationally, to include by the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin.
Minnesota smartly created their effort into law signed by the Governor. This did two things: one, created recognition of a provider level and, two, provided an income stream for ambulance services for Medicare eligibility and hospital reimbursement. They’ve graduated classes of community paramedics with state level certification, and following 24-hours of training by EMT-Basics in a pilot project, have reduced hospital patient re-admissions by 50% - not only creating community goodwill, but an income stream from the hospital to the ambulance service.
The Wisconsin EMS Live broadcast on Tuesday, April 14 is dedicated to CP and MIH. Our guests include Minnesota’s Buck McAlpin, PAAW President Patrick Ryan, and city of Milwaukee Fire Department’s Michael Wright. All three are deeply involved in CP and MIH and building the infrastructure to deliver it the right way here in Wisconsin. Other departments like West Allis Fire Department are too with their current CP pilot project. Like anything new or evolving some education and learning is required to move forward, and there will be many questions to ask and answer.
Begin by listening to the April 14th live show program starting at 9:00 a.m. and lasting 60 minutes, so come listen, ask questions or contribute. The call in number is 646-929-1081 for listen only or to ask a question, or hear it on any internet connected device. The broadcast is recorded, so if you miss it you can listen to the playback on-demand. For details, go to www.paaw.us/wisconsinemslive.
The Department of Health has left the door open to define the delivery model for your community with implementation of CP and MIH. As a patient care provider and EMS leader it is your responsibility to learn, be engaged in the process, and take action on this new and emerging opportunity if it benefits your community.
Have questions about getting started or involved with others going through the same process? PAAW is not only a participant in the process, but also leading the effort by holding regular conference calls for all interested ambulance directors from around the state. You do not need to be a PAAW member to participate in these bi-weekly calls. For more information, contact PAAW President Patrick Ryan by emailing president@paaw.us.
About Wisconsin EMS Live
Wisconsin EMS Live is an internet radio program that can be heard live on the internet or by calling in the second Tuesday each month starting at 9:00 a.m. central time, and when important news breaks.
The program is dedicated to discussing EMS in Wisconsin that offers information, perspective and clarity. Persons can listen to the live program on any internet connected device, or by calling into the show to listen only or ask a question of the co-hosts or guests. Each episode is recorded, so if you miss the live broadcast you can always listen to a previous episode on-demand.
