The March 27th Consolidated Test Site has been cancelled.  The next CTS will be May 15, 2010.

Please feel free to contact the office with any questions.  (434) 295-6146

The CGAP software is currently NOT compatible with the 64-bit version of Windows 7 or Windows Vista.  If you do not have access to a 32-bit version of Windows you need to contact your regional council for assistance.

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Grants/index.htm

I am sending this message to provide another update regarding the EMS Registry project.  Although I continue to hear concerns about training, implementation dates, lack of assistance and information, the volume of these concerns/complaints appear to have slowed down.  Nevertheless I want to give you some updates.

In November 2005, OEMS sponsored the National EMSC Data Analysis Resource Center (NEDARC) to come to Virginia and perform a S.W.O.T analysis of our existing EMS data collection system with OEMS staff and approximately 30 key stakeholders.  This meeting began the vision of modernizing our EMS data collection system and stepping up to a new national standard.  On Tuesday January 26th, 2010 at 22:36 the EMS Registry was officially launched and is up and running and Virginia has a new web based data collection and reporting tool.  Our goal was to provide EMS with their own access to data and we have accomplished this as well as provided the opportunity for statewide electronic medical records, a fully functional QA program that OMD’s can provide medical oversight through, communication tools between each system user and the state, the ability to integrate with hospital medical record systems, the ability to add patient care protocols to ePCR to provide clinical pathways in their documentation, ability to track staffing, vehicle usage and other features.

Here are some statistics to date:

OEMS provided 24 training classes at the Symposium
32 Additional training classes have been offered across the state since that time
8 webinars have been conducted
OEMS will continue to offer training classes
OEMS is working with ImageTrend to conduct weekly webinars
OEMS has caught up on all agency workbooks and user logon requests.
OEMS is also working with ImageTrend to offer webinars specifically for agencies that use 3rd party vendors
16,013 Users/Providers in the system
634 are signed on to the system as of this moment that this email is being sent
0 have been locked out
253 Agency Workbooks submitted to ImageTrend
1, 720 Runs have been submitted into State Bridge
                919 by State Bridge
798 by Field Bridge

3 by Service Bridge

Hospital Resource Materials are almost complete
Once Hospital resource materials are posted OEMS will begin communicating directly with hospitals about the role in the VPHIB program
Information is updated on the OEMS web site.  I encourage you to become familiar with this information and to visit the web site frequently
On Friday, January 29, 2010, the State Board of Health approved the minimum data set and format for the EMS Registry project.  I have attached the exact information that was distributed to the BOH that was approved.
100% of ALL requests for an extension of an agency deadline have been approved by OEMS.  No extension request has been denied.  Please encourage agencies to call the OEMS Point of Contact with any questions or requests.  ALL requests will be handled.  Going through a Board member or other individuals other than the OEMS Point-of-Contact delays the response, delays the solution and possibly results in misinformation.

OEMS is NOT going to issue citations, suspensions or take any other enforcement actions if an agency is not fully ready by their implementation date.  OEMS will work with each agency that needs assistance, and we will provide support.  OEMS desires to bring agencies into compliance.  We must work together, not against each other.

You have my permission to share this information with anyone you deem appropriate.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks

Gary

Gary R. Brown, Director

Office of Emergency Medical Services

109 Governor Street

Madison Building Suite UB55

Richmond, Va 23219

804-864-7600 (business)

804-864-7580 (fax)

email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/oems

Virginia Senate

DISTRICT                 NAME                           TELEPHONE
      25                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                  (804) 698-7525
      24                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)              (804) 698-7524
      17                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                (804) 698-7517
      15                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                        (804) 698-7515

Virginia House of Delegates

DISTRICT                 NAME                           TELEPHONE
      59                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                  (804) 698-1059
      58                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                      (804) 698-1058
      56                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                  (804) 698-1056
      30                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                  (804) 698-1030
      57                 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                (804) 698-1057

Virginia General Assembly Website

Beginning at consolidated test sites after February 15, 2010 EMT-B Instructor Pre-Tests will resume.  You may begin reserving slots at CTS locations immediately by contacting a Regional Council.

Please visit the OEMS website for more information.

All EMS testing will now be at Louisa County Middle School located at 1009 Davis Highway, Mineral, Virginia 23117.

Driving Directions From Charlottesville: Take I64 E to exit 143 Ferncliff.  Turn LEFT onto Rt. 208 Courthouse Rd.  In 8.9 miles turn RIGHT onto E Main St/US-33/VA-208/VA-22. Continue to follow VA-208/VA-22 4.7 miles to school on right.

To enter your address and get directions to the test site, please follow the link below:

Google Directions

The TJEMS Awards Banquet will be held May 12, 2010 at the East Rivanna Volunteer Fire Company immediately following the board meeting.  Our goal for this year’s banquet is to have at least one nomination per category from each agency.  You may nominate as many people as you would like but please, only one per entry.  Since the photo contest was a big hit last year, we will be including it in this year’s banquet.  Please submit no more than three photos per entry. 

A packet containing information about the banquet has been mailed out to all agencies.  Should you not receive a packet or need more information, please contact the TJEMS office at (434) 295-6146 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

                                      **All entries must be submitted to the TJEMS office by April 7, 2010**

Information for the March 2010 Megacode test can be found under the “Training” tab.

TJEMS is now offering in house CPR recertification.  Please contact the office at (434) 295-6146 with any questions or if you would like to register.

Please note that starting January 2010 TJEMS has adopted a new recertification policy in conjunction with the OMD Committee.  Below you will find the new policy that will take place January 2010 for BLS recertification.  In the new policy you will notice that the requirements for recertification are that you must attend 3 of the 10 Continuing Education programs that are provided by TJEMS and you must also attend the Annual Skills Drill.

Recertification Testing Waiver
________________________________________

Requesting Exemptions:
Anyone requesting exemption from the Virginia Office of EMS written recertification test needs to notify the TJEMS Training Specialist (BLS)/ UVa Prehospital Coordinators (ALS) at least ninety (90) days in advance of their expiration date (as listed on their certification card). This allows for completion of the necessary forms, verification of Continuing Education hours, notification and signature of the Operational Medical Director and delivery of the Virginia EMS Certification Application to the Office of EMS before the provider’s expiration date.

The provider’s Operational Medical Director has the final disposition on exemption from testing.

The Office of EMS has launched a new website that will allow you to find jobs, post resumes, promote employment and volunteer opportunities as well as locate EMS agencies.  The Career Finder tool is free and easy to use.  To get started, visit www.vaemsjobs.com today!

For more information, please call (804) 864-7600 or 1-800-523-6019.

The University of Virginia Trauma Program is implementing phase II of a pilot process to provide timely trauma patient follow-up information to pre-hospital providers and transfer facility staff.

The “UVa Trauma Confidential Communication Service” (“UVaTRCCS” pronounce- tracs) process being developed utilizes a secure phone messaging system.  After the provider who cared for the patient accesses the system, a 10 digit PIN number is entered to hear a patient follow-up message left by a member of the trauma program staff.  During this pilot period this message will be provided only on severely injured adult trauma service patients (trauma alerts and transfer patients).  Every effort will be made to provide timely information however there will be delays with weekend patient arrivals and staff schedules.  Please do not contact UVa and instead recheck the system at a later time. 

As providers one of the common responsibilities we share is patient privacy.  This is a quality assurance service and only those having direct care for the patient or those identified with administrative performance improvement responsibilities should access patient information.  Information should not be shared with others.  This system enables the trauma program director to monitor information retrieval.  Patient information will be removed from the system periodically and patient information will only be available for cases where pre-hospital documentation exists in the medical record.

Thank you for considering this offer.  Your feedback will assist UVa in improving the process and determining the value of this service.  UVa will notify you when the pilot period ends and the plans as they develop.  Please send feedback to:  Kathy Butler at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  If you have difficulties accessing the system please call 434-924-1770.

UVaTRCCS Retrieval steps:  (You will notice “Physician ID” and “Patient ID” mentioned in the prompt.  This is because the system is designed for physicians to communicate lab results to their patients.)

Dial 1-888-888-3803
“Physician ID” number prompt – Enter 33447
“Patient ID” number prompt – Enter 98765 and the last four digits of your patient’s pre-hospital report or flight number.

TJEMS seeks 2 EMT-Basic Instructors.  Must be an AHA CPR instructor and have a minimum of 2 years instructor and 5 years active EMS experience.  Email resume to Steve Rea.

The CDC has provided a document on http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_ems.htm.  Please remember that this event is rapidly changing and evolving and we recommend frequently checking the CDC Web site and the OEMS Web site for updates, more information about swine flu and more.  As information changes or resources become available, the Office of EMS will update their Web site and forward information to the regional councils for distribution.

TJEMS 2009 Regional Guidelines are now available for viewing and downloading in both full size and pocket size versions on the Regional Protocols/Guidelines page.