EMS News Briefs from Mike McEvoy

EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy, Ph.D., NRP, RN, CCRN
NYSAFC EMS Committee

Trauma Triage Guidelines Revised
As you may be aware, CDC contracted with the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) to revise the rather stale Trauma Triage Guidelines, last updated in 2011. On May 2, 2022, the ACS announced release of the new guidelines. I’m sure we will see some integration of these with our State EMS Protocols, but if you would like to be the first to know and share with your members with interest, they are available here.

988 to Launch July 16, 2022
A new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 3-digit number will launch nationwide on July 16, 2022, to connect people across the U.S. to their local suicide prevention lifeline. The new number (988) will replace the myriad of different 7-digit numbers in use across the country. Ultimately, 988 will have capability to direct transfer to 911 centers, but not on its initial launch. New York state will spend $60 million annually to support 988, most of these monies coming from the feds. To sign up for a 988 newsletter that will keep you in the know, send an email here. Once you do, you’ll be subscribed to future newsletters.