The two new papers included:
Dr. Joseph Grover听
Clinical Associate Professor, EMS Fellowship Program Director
“Joint Position Statement on EMS Performance Measures Beyond Response Times”听 听
Excerpt/Summary:
Historically, response time has been the primary measure used to assess the performance of an EMS system or agency. This is in part due to the fact that response times are objective, quantifiable and easily understood. However, sole focus on response times prevents communities from evaluating a number of other important factors, a few of which include system effectiveness, patient care, and outcomes.听听
This joint statement encourages EMS systems and community leaders to implement an approach to EMS system performance that prioritizes patient-centered care and uses a broad, balanced set of clinical, safety, experiential, equity, operational, and financial measures to evaluate the effectiveness of EMS systems.听
Dr. Diane Miller听
Clinical Assistant Professor, Medical Director NC State Highway Patrol
“Consensus Statement of the National Association of EMS Physicians International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Chiefs of Police: Best Practices for Collaboration Between Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Services During Acute Behavioral Emergencies.”听
Excerpt/Summary:
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and law enforcement (LE) frequently work as a team in encounters with individuals experiencing acute behavioral emergencies manifesting with severe agitation and aggression. The optimal management is a rehearsed, coordinated effort by law enforcement and EMS providing the necessary interventions to address behaviors that endanger the patient, the responders, and the public.
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and direction in the shared responsibility of managing and caring for a person displaying behavioral instability with irrational, agitated, and/or violent behavior.