Act 45 2006 Draft

[AC9A]

This morning I down loaded a copy of the EMS Act 45, draft for 2006. After taking a quick look at some of the pages below are some of the things that I had noticed. May be some one can answer a few questions for me.

1. Section 15 parts a-c (Advance Emergency Medical Technician. Am I reading this correctly and am I to under stand that this is EMT -I ?

2. Section 13 (Emergency Medical Responder) How much different will this be as from the old first responder certification.

3. If I am reading this right it looks like EMR and EMT-B's still have a certification period of three years. It also looks like the EMT-I and EMT- P has a certification period of two years.

Every one feel free to put in your opinions.

[ResTech]

I glanced over the proposed changes although have'nt had a chance yet to read it in it's entirety. I was very glad to see the proposed implementation of an "advanced EMT" level practitioner. I think they're is a definiate need for this level of care practitioner in the Commonwealth and it will raise the bar for residents of Pennsylvania by providing them with a higher level of care and more so, a greater continuity of advanced care.

It appears that Pennsylvania may be ahead of the game for once. "Advanced EMT" and some other wording contained in the EMS Act of 2006 is taken directly from version 2 of the National EMS Scope of Practice. Per the NEMSSOP an advanced EMT will be able to perform the following:

- Initiate IV access and administer limited drugs through the IV
- Beta-2 agonist (albuterol more then likely) for asthma/COPD
- D50 & glucagon for hypoglycemia
- Nitroglycerin, ASA, and other OTC meds for pain (ie. tylenol, motrin)
- Narcotic antagonist (ie. Narcan)
- Nitrous Oxide for pain relief
- SQ Epi for anaphylaxis
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Combitube type airway's (intubation is specifically not permitted in the NEMSSOP)

I just hope advanced EMT makes it to the final phase and is actually implemented. Go to PEHSC.org to comment on the draft changes. It is very important for everyones input.

[Chief100]

From the PEHSC website....

Act 45 Draft Copy for Review and Comment

Release of the Draft Changes to Pennsylvania's EMS Act (Act 45)

Please be advised that the PA Department of Health has released a document which contains draft changes to Pennsylvania's EMS Act (formerly known as Act 45).

We encourage each ambulance service and all field personnel to review and consider this draft language. We suggest that you share comments or suggestions with us using the comment form provided below. PEHSC would like to have all website review comments submitted by November 1, 2005.

[Administrators]

Go to the following link to download a copy:

pehsc.org/act-45%20changes.pdf