EMS News Briefs from Mike McEvoy

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

DOH EMS Quality Page Updated
The DOH Prehospital Quality Improvement web page has been updated with links to the National EMS Quality Alliance (NEMSQA) measures. Coming soon are proposed regulations from the State EMS Council that would require each EMS agency to track and report on two state approved measures selected by the EMS agency to improve their quality of care. NEMSQA  measures are currently the only measures approved by the State Council.  In addition to the NEMSQA link, there are links on the page to the New York State QI Quick Start Guide and the full QI manual. 

State EMS Bureau Reorganizing
The Bureau of EMS and Trauma Services is transitioning to become the Division of State EMS. There will soon be three bureaus. The first and second are reorganizations of existing units, while the third is new:  Bureau of EMS Administration led by Lynn Farruggia, chief. This includes Central Administration and a Council Operations Unit. A Policy & Strategy Branch will be run by George Titus and includes the Data & Informatics Unit, Policy & Regulatory Unit, and Projects Management Unit. Amanda Schultz will become health program administrator (Administration Branch chief), overseeing the Central Administration Unit and Council Operations Unit. The Bureau of EMS Standards and Licensure is new, as is the Bureau of EMS Emergency Management, which includes the EMS Task Force. To fill these positions, the Bureau is growing by 152 employees over the next year.