New policy: 20-04 COVID-19 EMS Provider Exposure.
Please note: this policy is not yet reflected on the Bureau’s website but is expected to post shortly (link below).
Download 20-04 COVID19 EMS Provider Exposure 03.20.20 DOH FINAL
LINK to Bureau’s policy page: https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/policy/policy.htm
The NYS Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems currently has 3 policy statements to aid in COVID preparedness/responses. The 3 policies are as follows:
- 20-02 COVID-19 EMS Practitioner Guidance
- 20-03 COVID-19 County Emergency Manager, County EMS Coordinator, and PSAP Guidance
- 20-05 COVID-19 Response to Respiratory Emergencies (just released)
These policies can change frequently. It is important to visit the Bureau’s policy page routinely to ensure you have the most up-to-date version of each policy.
https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/policy/policy.htm
We would like to clarify the notices we sent regarding today’s conference calls.
The call at 11AM is with Erie County Emergency Services regarding Erie County COVID-19 Operations
The call at 3PM is with the NYS Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems
The calls are not the same and EMS leaders have been invited to join both calls.
New York State COVID19 Emergency Medical Services Agency Leadership Update
Friday, Mar 20, 2020 3:00 pm | 1 hour
Phone: 518-549-0500
Meeting number: 611 461 030
Password: COVID19
https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=m5362bb7da771a74b2c41c69766e8181e
This meeting is to update New York State EMS Agency leadership on the current events related to EMS and COVID19.
Due to the large number of participants expected, we are asking that callers please submit questions via the chat box located in the Webex platform.
If a caller is asked to “unmute” their phone to speak related to a question submitted, please use *6 to unmute your phone and then *6 again to put your back on mute.
Please remember not to put your phone on hold while on the call. Please remember to shut off your computer microphone and speakers if you are calling in by phone.
Please feel free to share this invitation with other EMS agency leadership.
We do ask that agency leadership then after the call share the information with their agency providers.
Join by phone
1-844-633-8697 US Toll Free
1-518-549-0500 Local
Access code: 611 461 030
Erie County EMS Leadership Conference Call
Friday, March 20, 2020 at 11AM
Phone #: 1-866-742-8060
Meeting Code: 8507436
This conference call has been initiated for the purpose of updating all EMS agency leadership on the current COVID – 19 Operations within the County of Erie. The target audience will be EMS leadership, healthcare systems representatives, NYS DOH representatives and local incident command staff.
Message below is from Dr. Michael O’Brien, Chairman – Western Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee
Due to the ongoing threats posed by the novel coronavirus and in an effort to maintain social distancing, the WREMAC meeting for today will be held online only via WebEx. There will be no in-person meeting at Twin City Ambulance. The online meeting will begin at 1:00 PM, as originally scheduled.
Call information is:
Dial-in:
+1-312-535-8110 United States Toll (Chicago)
Access Code/Meeting ID: 733 403 714
WREMAC ADVISORY: Ancillary Certifications and Coronavirus Disease
Download WREMAC Advisory – Ancillary Certifications Coronavirus Disease
Many providers within the region possess ancillary certification cards (ITLS/PHTLS, ACLS, BLS/CPR, PALS) required by the Provider Privileges & CME policy set to expire on March 30th or April 30th. In an effort to limit the transmission of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19, the WREMAC will consider valid any such completion cards with an expiration (or recommended renewal) date of March 31st or April 30th until at least May 31st. This date may be extended as circumstances evolve.
No provider shall be considered out-of-compliance with policy #2013-1 (Provider Privileges and Continuing Medical Education) if their ancillary course cards expire between 3/31/2020 and 5/31/2020.
Download WREMAC Advisory – Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated disease, COVID-19, pose a unique risk to EMS providers. To reduce the risk of transmission, the WREMAC encourages EMS providers to strongly consider the following:
• Placing a simple mask on all patients being transported who have symptoms of a respiratory illness (fever, cough, etc.) regardless of travel history.
• Prenotification of the receiving facility for patients with upper respiratory symptoms, fever, and either travel history (China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, or Italy within 14 days of symptom onset) or confirmed contact with a Person Under Investigation (PUI) who is being tested for (or confirmed to have) the COVID-19 virus.
Watch for communications from your program agency/regional council for up-to-date information as it becomes available. Current from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found online at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-for-ems.html
Please see the attached memo for guidance on responding with a potential modified special operating procedure.
Download the UBMD 2019 COVID Memo_rev_March_2020_v1.2
At this point, please continue to use standard PPE and assessment procedures. If COVID-19 becomes more widespread to include WNY, we will update plans accordingly.
Additionally, NYS EMS has advisories. Click here
CDC has EMS advisories, click here.
Feel free to disseminate this through your department and ranks. Please contact me with questions or concerns.
—
Joseph Bart, DO, FACEP
Board Certified – Emergency Medicine and EMS
Director – EMS Operations
UB|MD Emergency Medicine – EMS Division