[December 14, 2017] |
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Trend Watch 2018: Emerging Issues in EMS
One million. That's how many more calls EMS providers responded to in
2016 compared to just two years before, according to the National
Run Survey, but a common theme for most fire departments and
ambulance providers is the struggle to sustain operations at their
current level. Recently, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs gathered at
Medline for the first-ever EMS Advisory Board to share the following
concerns and challenges they're preparing for in 2018.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214006357/en/
"Many of the problems in the EMS community are pretty universal, but the
impact on fire departments and ambulance services can differ depending
on that state's laws and funding structure," says Rhonda
Baliff, post-acute care divisional sales manager, Medline, and a
former volunteer EMT. "It's important to understand these issues so we
can identify the best solutions that ultimately lead to better care for
the patient in a medical emergency."
Innovative Healthcare Initiatives
A Government Accountability Office study
found Medicare paid six percent below the average cost per transport of
ground ambulance services. Through mobile integrated health - community
paramedicine, EMS providers also have the ability to address unnecessary
hospital visits and ease the burden on their budgets. More departments
are testing this innovative approach to healthcare, allowing EMTs and
paramedics to respond to homes of patients with chronic disease
management needs or even assist with post-hospital discharges to reduce
readmissions.
In Colorado, West Metro Fire Rescue, the largest fire district and
largest fire-based EMS provider in that state, is putting together a
pilot program. "This public private partnership that we're developing
will allow us to provide care in their home, and be able to get
reimbursed through insurance companies or through Medicare or Medicaid,"
said West Metro Fire Chief Don Lombardi. "We think that about a quarter
of our 911 calls that we start off with will be able to go to this new
mobile integrated healthcare. I think we should be able to save millions
of dollars in healthcare costs just for our community."
Reduction and Consolidation
More than half of EMS providers say retaining EMTs and paramedics is a
problem, with those in rural areas having the greatest difficulty in
keeping staff to keep their communities safe, according to a Rural
Health and Research Policies Survey. A national EMS
assessment found one-third of the states that provided information
acknowledged that the majority of their EMS agencies with transport
capability are considered to be volunteer. These same agencies that are
relying on fundraising and reimbursements are battling an industry
average denial rate of 30 percent.
"The value of EMS to the communities is great, but the resources and the
funding continue to shrink and diminish," said Marc Cohen, executive
director of the Wisconsin EMS Association. "What we're seeing across the
country is that services are consolidating and cross credentialing in
order to maintain service to their communities."
With most volunteer and even paid providers having a background solely
in administering medical services, billing can be an afterthought
leaving many departments struggling to get the proper reimbursements to
fund their operations. Through a partnership with Fire
Recovery USA, Medline is able to structure a solution that meets the
financial requirements of EMS providers big and small. Fire Recovery
USA's proprietary systems and software allow fire departments and
ambulance companies to efficiently and effortlessly bill for services.
Overcoming the Opioid Epidemic
The CDC
reports more than half of the people who died of opioid overdoses in the
second half of 2016 tested positive for fentanyl, a lethal opioid that
is 30-50 times more powerful than heroin. This growing drug epidemic has
prompted the CDC and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to issue guidelines
for EMS workers regarding safe practices and use of personal protective
equipment.
"We want to make sure the EMT or the medic is protected in giving the
care. There could be indirect exposure," said Baliff. "Many times,
paramedics, EMTs and firefighters are first on the scene of an overdose
and it can be completely unsecured. So we want to make sure we
proactively have the resources for our caregivers and that they're
protected no matter the environment."
To view a video highlighting some of the trends in EMS to watch for in
2018, visit https://youtu.be/4SDsOzOHsfY.
For more information about Medline's offerings for EMS providers, visit https://ems.medline.com/.
To read more about the growing issues with funding and staffing in EMS,
Check out "The Voices of Healthcare" blog at http://mkt.medline.com/advancing-blog/speak-up-making-ems-a-necessary-service/.
To stay up to date on the latest trends in EMS, follow @MedlineEMS
on Twitter (News - Alert).
Interview opportunities to discuss financial issues and personal
protective equipment concerns for EMS providers are available with
Rhonda Baliff, West Metro Fire Chief Don Lombardi and Marc Cohen.
About Medline
Medline
is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the health care
industry with medical supplies and clinical solutions that help
customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in
Northfield, Ill., the company offers 350,000+ medical devices and
support services through more than 1,400 direct sales representatives
who are dedicated points of contact for customers across the continuum
of care. For more information on Medline, go to www.medline.com
or http://www.medline.com/social-media
to connect with Medline on its social media channels.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171214006357/en/
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