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As part of two-year collaboration to revise the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) recently released a draft for public comment. The draft includes descriptions of the four provider levels as well as a proposed process for rapidly updating the Practice Model when situations arise that warrant it.
The Office of EMS recently released a two-minute video that shows how EMS data is used to improve EMS systems and patient care at the local, state and national levels. You may have already seen it on EMS.gov or our YouTube page, or mentioned in our latest EMS Update newsletter. It’s important that every member of our profession understands the vital […]
When the chilly temperatures of winter set in, will your vehicle be ready for the cold? If you live in a part of the country that gets snow and ice, are you prepared to drive in those conditions? Planning and preventative maintenance are important year-round—but especially when it comes to winter driving.
NHTSA has asked for feedback on the state of autonomous vehicles and how current US regulations can be refined to promote research and deployment. The US National Highway Traffic-Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report on potential rule changes on Friday, which states the agency is looking for comments “to identify any unnecessary regulatory barriers” to the deployment […]
This report describes the absorption, distribution and elimination of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinal (THC) the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana, in the body. It contrasts this process with the absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol in the body, as they are very different processes. The poor correlation of THC concentrations in the blood with impairment is discussed, along […]
Since the Department of Transportation was established in 1966, there have been more than 2.2 million motor vehicle-related fatalities in the United States. In addition, after decades of decline, motor vehicle fatalities spiked by more than 7.2 percent in 2015, the largest single-year increase since 1966. The major factor in 94 percent of all fatal […]
The U.S. Department of Transportation and its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued new voluntary guidance about developing vehicles using automated driving systems, in what was widely reported to be a more industry-friendly version than guidance last year by the Obama administration. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said the latest guidance, dubbed 2.0, “supports further development of this […]
The NHTSA Office of EMS collaborated with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to research on-the-job injuries in EMS. According to the four-year study, more than 22,000 EMS workers visited emergency departments each year for work-related injuries. NIOSH and NHTSA created a fact sheet with tips on what EMS employers can do […]
As the needs of communities, the quality of EMS research, and other key factors change, national, state and local EMS organizations grapple with defining the scopes of practice for EMS practitioners at different certification levels. Many turn to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, published in 2007, for guidance. Recognizing the need to update that […]
After receiving initial input from hundreds of people nationally, the EMS Agenda 2050 Technical Expert Panel has been working to create a Straw Man document that will include many of those ideas in order to stimulate further conversation, elicit feedback and develop a community-driven vision. The Straw Man was recently released, and the first of four regional […]