Zoll rescueNET ePCR 5.1 has been added to the list of West Virginia-approved EPCR packages.
The State Trauma and Emergency Medical System (STEMS) is currently seeking applications for the position of STATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR. This position is under the Administrative Direction of the STEMS Administrative Director, this employee provides and oversees the medical direction of all medical issues pertaining to the State Trauma and Emergency Medical System in West Virginia. The STEMS Medical Director has primary responsibility for the establishment of policies and procedures governing all aspects of operation of on-line medical direction for all STEMS activities in the State including state, regional and agency medical directors, committees, medical command centers and the State Medical Coordination Center (MCC).
Preference may be given to applicants with experience in prehospital and emergency department management of the acutely ill or injured patient; experience in on-line, base station radio direction of prehospital emergency units; experience in the training of basic and advanced prehospital personnel; experience in the medical audit, review, and critique of basic and advanced prehospital personnel; and Board Certification in Emergency Medicine.
Interested persons should visit the requirements and application page for further information.
The WV DHHR Bureau for Public Health is accepting applications for the position of STEMS (State Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems) Administrative Director. STEMS is the parent organization of WVOEMS.
A job description and the position requirements have been posted on the WV Division of Personnel web site.
The posting closes March 7, 2010. Application instructions are on the web site link posted above.
We've updated the WV Electronic Patient Care Record Data Dictionary with some changes:
Version 1.21 changesWe've updated the WV Electronic Patient Care Record Data Dictionary with some changes:
Version 1.21 changesThe EMS Advisory Council will convene at the State Police Professional Development Center, 10:00am on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. The meeting is open to anyone wishing to attend.
Directions to the Professional Development CenterFrom I-77 South
Take Interstate 77 South, to Interstate 64 West; exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.
From I-77 North, I-64 West
Follow Interstate 64 West to Interstate 77 North; follow Interstate 77 North to Interstate 64 West, exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.
From I-64 East
Follow Interstate 64 East, to Exit 50; exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.
From I-79 South
Follow Interstate 79 South, to Interstate 77 South. Merge into the right two (2) lanes on Interstate 77 South. Take Interstate 64 West to Exit 50. Stay in the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on your left.
For more information about the EMS Advisory Council, read Advisory Council Reappointed.
The EMS Advisory Council will convene at the State Police Professional Development Center, 10:00am on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. The meeting is open to anyone wishing to attend.
Directions to the Professional Development CenterFrom I-77 South
Take Interstate 77 South, to Interstate 64 West; exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.
From I-77 North, I-64 West
Follow Interstate 64 West to Interstate 77 North; follow Interstate 77 North to Interstate 64 West, exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.
From I-64 East
Follow Interstate 64 East, to Exit 50; exit Interstate 64 at Exit 50. Merge into the left lane and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on the left.
From I-79 South
Follow Interstate 79 South, to Interstate 77 South. Merge into the right two (2) lanes on Interstate 77 South. Take Interstate 64 West to Exit 50. Stay in the left lane, and make a left turn at the stop sign. Follow Route 25 South to the first available turn on the left (Academy Drive). Make a left turn onto Academy Drive, go to the stop sign and make a right turn. Go ¼ mile and pass the Academy (it will be on your right) and follow the road until it dead ends at the Professional Development Center. Go through the front doors and down a small corridor full of photos. Classroom 1 is the first classroom on your left.
For more information about the EMS Advisory Council, read Advisory Council Reappointed.
The State Trauma and Emergency Medical System (STEMS) is currently seeking applications for the position of STATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR. This position is under the Administrative Direction of the STEMS Administrative Director, this employee provides and oversees the medical direction of all medical issues pertaining to the State Trauma and Emergency Medical System in West Virginia. The STEMS Medical Director has primary responsibility for the establishment of policies and procedures governing all aspects of operation of on-line medical direction for all STEMS activities in the State including state, regional and agency medical directors, committees, medical command centers and the State Medical Coordination Center (MCC).
Preference may be given to applicants with experience in prehospital and emergency department management of the acutely ill or injured patient; experience in on-line, base station radio direction of prehospital emergency units; experience in the training of basic and advanced prehospital personnel; experience in the medical audit, review, and critique of basic and advanced prehospital personnel; and Board Certification in Emergency Medicine.
Interested persons should visit the requirements and application page for further information.
The NEMSIS Version 3 Final Draft is now available for download and review. Please go to http://www.nemsis.org/support/version3Info.html for additional information.
Download the NEMSIS Version 3 Final Draft here: http://www.nemsis.org/media/pdf/NEMSISV3Draft2.pdf
Download and Spreadsheet of recommended National, State, and Performance Measure Data Elements here: http://www.nemsis.org/media/pdf/NEMSISV3PerfMeasures.pdf
Public Comments will be accepted online through the NEMSIS website beginning Monday (February 8th) through March 31st, 2010. Comments prior to March 1, 2010 are appreciated.
This is the second of 3 draft documents leading to a final Version 3 dataset in May of 2010. During this same time period the NEMSIS dataset is migrating into the HL7 based standards with a goal of formal HL7 balloting and approval ending in 2012.
The goal of this draft release is to allow all NEMSIS users, EMS experts, and interested parties to review the dataset and provide comments and/or suggestions through the NEMSIS website at www.NEMSIS.org. To focus this review, the draft 2 document has been consolidated to provide only the key information relative to data collect data collection and application. Software related business logic/rules, XML structure, data element value codes, and Version 2 to 3 translational mapping is not included in this public comment. A separate public comment period will be provided for the business logic and XML structure components of NEMSIS Version 3 in the 2nd quarter of 2010.
The first few pages of the NEMSIS Version 3 Draft provides an overview and summary of the document. Additional content will be provided over the next week to better describe the changes between Version 2 and Version 3.
The NEMSIS Technical Assistance Center is interested in all comments. With each comment please provide insight into the reason for the recommended change. Review of this draft should focus on the following:
Version 3 of NEMSIS will be finalized in May of 2010 based on all comments received during this public comment period. In an effort to assure this document has been developed through an objective EMS industry consensus process, the only changes or additions to the NEMSIS Version 3 Draft considered are the comments received through the NEMSIS Version 3 wiki found at www.NEMSIS.org.
Deadline for comments: March 31, 2010
Go to www.NEMSIS.org to submit comments
Thanks for your participation in this important process.
The NEMSIS Version 3 Final Draft is now available for download and review. Please go to http://www.nemsis.org/support/version3Info.html for additional information.
Download the NEMSIS Version 3 Final Draft here: http://www.nemsis.org/media/pdf/NEMSISV3Draft2.pdf
Download and Spreadsheet of recommended National, State, and Performance Measure Data Elements here: http://www.nemsis.org/media/pdf/NEMSISV3PerfMeasures.pdf
Public Comments will be accepted online through the NEMSIS website beginning Monday (February 8th) through March 31st, 2010. Comments prior to March 1, 2010 are appreciated.
This is the second of 3 draft documents leading to a final Version 3 dataset in May of 2010. During this same time period the NEMSIS dataset is migrating into the HL7 based standards with a goal of formal HL7 balloting and approval ending in 2012.
The goal of this draft release is to allow all NEMSIS users, EMS experts, and interested parties to review the dataset and provide comments and/or suggestions through the NEMSIS website at www.NEMSIS.org. To focus this review, the draft 2 document has been consolidated to provide only the key information relative to data collect data collection and application. Software related business logic/rules, XML structure, data element value codes, and Version 2 to 3 translational mapping is not included in this public comment. A separate public comment period will be provided for the business logic and XML structure components of NEMSIS Version 3 in the 2nd quarter of 2010.
The first few pages of the NEMSIS Version 3 Draft provides an overview and summary of the document. Additional content will be provided over the next week to better describe the changes between Version 2 and Version 3.
The NEMSIS Technical Assistance Center is interested in all comments. With each comment please provide insight into the reason for the recommended change. Review of this draft should focus on the following:
Version 3 of NEMSIS will be finalized in May of 2010 based on all comments received during this public comment period. In an effort to assure this document has been developed through an objective EMS industry consensus process, the only changes or additions to the NEMSIS Version 3 Draft considered are the comments received through the NEMSIS Version 3 wiki found at www.NEMSIS.org.
Deadline for comments: March 31, 2010
Go to www.NEMSIS.org to submit comments
Thanks for your participation in this important process.
Zoll rescueNET ePCR 5.1 has been added to the list of West Virginia-approved EPCR packages.
The WV DHHR Bureau for Public Health is accepting applications for the position of STEMS (State Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems) Administrative Director. STEMS is the parent organization of WVOEMS.
A job description and the position requirements have been posted on the WV Division of Personnel web site.
The posting closes March 7, 2010. Application instructions are on the web site link posted above.
The TSN Martinsburg Program Director position is no longer open.
The TSN Martinsburg Program Director position is no longer open.
Since the adoption of the West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Act of 1996, the West Virginia Office of EMS has strived to ensure the provision of emergency medical services within the State meets the minimum standards as established by the Bureau for Public Health. The procedures utilized to establish compliance with these requirements include the licensure of EMS agencies operating in West Virginia and the certification of personnel providing these services. These procedures are in place to ensure that services provided are in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations, policies, and protocols.
Historically, West Virginia EMS providers and the regional Medical Commands have utilized aeromedical resources regardless of West Virginia licensure. This practice was permitted due to the lack of availability of WV licensed providers in certain areas of the state. While this condition continues to exist in some areas, the vast majority of the state now has WV licensed aeromedical providers available within a reasonable distance. Thus, a change of policy is being implemented regarding the utilization of unlicensed aeromedical agencies within West Virginia.
West Virginia Code mandates that decisions regarding the care and transportation of patients shall be the responsibility of the EMS line officer under the direction of medical command. This statute is the reason all requests for scene utilization of aeromedical resources are required to be authorized by the appropriate regional Medical Command. Failure to abide by this policy is just reason for disciplinary action upon a provider's certification.
At the recent Medical Policy and Care Committee meeting held on December 4, 2009, the issue of unlicensed aeromedical agencies providing services in West Virginia was reviewed. This committee concluded that in order to ensure that medical care provided to the citizens of WV meet our standards, it was imperative that WV licensed providers be utilized whenever possible. As a result, the following policy was developed to assist the Medical Command centers in authorization of scene aeromedical responses.
Effective 12:01 a.m., January 1, 2010, the following policy will be utilized by all regional Medical Commands:
Upon receiving a request for aeromedical assistance at the scene of an EMS incident in the State of WV, the regional Medical Command shall first determine the appropriateness of the request, and if determined to be medically appropriate, the Medical Command shall coordinate dispatch of the closest WV licensed aeromedical provider. If the difference between the nearest WV licensed aeromedical provider's base and a non-licensed aeromedical provider's base is greater than ten (10) miles, the regional Medical Command may utilize the non-licensed aeromedical provider.
At the current time, the only WV licensed aeromedical providers are HealthNet Aeromedical Services and Air Evac Lifeteam.
This policy is intended to ensure that the care and service provided to sick and injured patients meet the standards as established by the West Virginia State Trauma and Emergency Medical System.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Deron Wilkes by e-mail (deron.e.wilkes@wv.gov) or by telephone (304-5583956).
Thank you for assistance as we take steps to ensure the very best care is made available to the citizens of West Virginia.
Since the adoption of the West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Act of 1996, the West Virginia Office of EMS has strived to ensure the provision of emergency medical services within the State meets the minimum standards as established by the Bureau for Public Health. The procedures utilized to establish compliance with these requirements include the licensure of EMS agencies operating in West Virginia and the certification of personnel providing these services. These procedures are in place to ensure that services provided are in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations, policies, and protocols.
Historically, West Virginia EMS providers and the regional Medical Commands have utilized aeromedical resources regardless of West Virginia licensure. This practice was permitted due to the lack of availability of WV licensed providers in certain areas of the state. While this condition continues to exist in some areas, the vast majority of the state now has WV licensed aeromedical providers available within a reasonable distance. Thus, a change of policy is being implemented regarding the utilization of unlicensed aeromedical agencies within West Virginia.
West Virginia Code mandates that decisions regarding the care and transportation of patients shall be the responsibility of the EMS line officer under the direction of medical command. This statute is the reason all requests for scene utilization of aeromedical resources are required to be authorized by the appropriate regional Medical Command. Failure to abide by this policy is just reason for disciplinary action upon a provider's certification.
At the recent Medical Policy and Care Committee meeting held on December 4, 2009, the issue of unlicensed aeromedical agencies providing services in West Virginia was reviewed. This committee concluded that in order to ensure that medical care provided to the citizens of WV meet our standards, it was imperative that WV licensed providers be utilized whenever possible. As a result, the following policy was developed to assist the Medical Command centers in authorization of scene aeromedical responses.
Effective 12:01 a.m., January 1, 2010, the following policy will be utilized by all regional Medical Commands:
Upon receiving a request for aeromedical assistance at the scene of an EMS incident in the State of WV, the regional Medical Command shall first determine the appropriateness of the request, and if determined to be medically appropriate, the Medical Command shall coordinate dispatch of the closest WV licensed aeromedical provider. If the difference between the nearest WV licensed aeromedical provider's base and a non-licensed aeromedical provider's base is greater than ten (10) miles, the regional Medical Command may utilize the non-licensed aeromedical provider.
At the current time, the only WV licensed aeromedical providers are HealthNet Aeromedical Services and Air Evac Lifeteam.
This policy is intended to ensure that the care and service provided to sick and injured patients meet the standards as established by the West Virginia State Trauma and Emergency Medical System.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Deron Wilkes by e-mail (deron.e.wilkes@wv.gov) or by telephone (304-5583956).
Thank you for assistance as we take steps to ensure the very best care is made available to the citizens of West Virginia.
C. Vincent Townsend, MD, husband of Sara H. Townsend, Huxley Hall, Old Mill Road, Martinsburg, WV died on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at the Winchester Medical Center. He was the son of C. William and Roxie Mae Townsend of Martinsburg. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife and three sons, C. Vincent, Jr. and his wife, Julie, Gary Miles Townsend, MD. JD. and Robin Wade Townsend D.V.M. and his wife, Janet. He is also survived by his dear grandchildren, C. Vincent III, Carson Hunter, Sage Noel, Sarah Bucko, Austin Hux, Troy Kearney and Amber Dawn Townsend. He was preceded in death by his parents; Clarence William and Roxie Mae Townsend.
He was a graduate of Martinsburg High School, Potomac State College, Keyser, WV, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV and the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA. He was president of Sigma Chi fraternity at WVU and a member of Phi Beta Pi at MCV. He served as a Medical Officer at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and aboard the USS Adirondack AGC 15.
He was active in many facets of his hometown community in addition to his private practice of Internal Medicine for forty years. Over the years he was president of Kings Daughters Hospital and City Hospital staff, Eastern Panhandle Medical Society, Eastern Panhandle Heart Association, Rotary Club of Martinsburg, Junior Board of Trade, Exhausted Roosters, Eastern Panhandle Shrine Club, Burke Street School PTA and the Medical College of Virginia Valley Chapter and West Virginia Chapter. He was a member of the General Adam Stephen Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Fraternal Order of Elks, Lodge 778, the Henry Kyd Douglas camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Berkeley Post 14 American Legion; Voiture Local 1356 of La Societe des Quaante Hommes et Huit Chevaux. He was also a Trustee and Past Master of Robert White Lodge #67 AF & AM in Martinsburg and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia AF & AM. He was a member of the Palestine Commandery, R.A.M., the Scottish Rite 32nd and the Royal Order of Jesters.
He had been Medical Director of Paramedics for Eastern West Virginia, Medical Director of Civil Defense and Medical Director of Regions 8 and 9 Emergency Medical Services for which the office building was named the C. Vincent Townsend, M.D. Building. He was chosen from the EMS regions for the 2001 state Samuel W. Channel Award and received the 1999-2000 Rural Health Physician of the Year award from the West Virginia State Medical Association.
He was a past Director of the local Chamber of Commerce, past Director of the West Virginia Heart Association, past Director of Old National Bank and One Valley Bank and a Director Emeritus of Branch Banking and Trust.
Memorials may be sent to the Dr. C. Vincent Townsend Scholarship Fund, Shepherd University Foundation, PO Box 3210, Shepherdstown, WV 25443-3210 or Robert White Lodge #67 AF & AM, 1007 W. King Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401.
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 11AM at the Trinity Church in Martinsburg WV.
C. Vincent Townsend, MD, husband of Sara H. Townsend, Huxley Hall, Old Mill Road, Martinsburg, WV died on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at the Winchester Medical Center. He was the son of C. William and Roxie Mae Townsend of Martinsburg. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife and three sons, C. Vincent, Jr. and his wife, Julie, Gary Miles Townsend, MD. JD. and Robin Wade Townsend D.V.M. and his wife, Janet. He is also survived by his dear grandchildren, C. Vincent III, Carson Hunter, Sage Noel, Sarah Bucko, Austin Hux, Troy Kearney and Amber Dawn Townsend. He was preceded in death by his parents; Clarence William and Roxie Mae Townsend.
He was a graduate of Martinsburg High School, Potomac State College, Keyser, WV, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV and the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA. He was president of Sigma Chi fraternity at WVU and a member of Phi Beta Pi at MCV. He served as a Medical Officer at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and aboard the USS Adirondack AGC 15.
He was active in many facets of his hometown community in addition to his private practice of Internal Medicine for forty years. Over the years he was president of Kings Daughters Hospital and City Hospital staff, Eastern Panhandle Medical Society, Eastern Panhandle Heart Association, Rotary Club of Martinsburg, Junior Board of Trade, Exhausted Roosters, Eastern Panhandle Shrine Club, Burke Street School PTA and the Medical College of Virginia Valley Chapter and West Virginia Chapter. He was a member of the General Adam Stephen Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Fraternal Order of Elks, Lodge 778, the Henry Kyd Douglas camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Berkeley Post 14 American Legion; Voiture Local 1356 of La Societe des Quaante Hommes et Huit Chevaux. He was also a Trustee and Past Master of Robert White Lodge #67 AF & AM in Martinsburg and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia AF & AM. He was a member of the Palestine Commandery, R.A.M., the Scottish Rite 32nd and the Royal Order of Jesters.
He had been Medical Director of Paramedics for Eastern West Virginia, Medical Director of Civil Defense and Medical Director of Regions 8 and 9 Emergency Medical Services for which the office building was named the C. Vincent Townsend, M.D. Building. He was chosen from the EMS regions for the 2001 state Samuel W. Channel Award and received the 1999-2000 Rural Health Physician of the Year award from the West Virginia State Medical Association.
He was a past Director of the local Chamber of Commerce, past Director of the West Virginia Heart Association, past Director of Old National Bank and One Valley Bank and a Director Emeritus of Branch Banking and Trust.
Memorials may be sent to the Dr. C. Vincent Townsend Scholarship Fund, Shepherd University Foundation, PO Box 3210, Shepherdstown, WV 25443-3210 or Robert White Lodge #67 AF & AM, 1007 W. King Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401.
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 11AM at the Trinity Church in Martinsburg WV.
Dear Colleague:
We'd like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on progress in working through the transition of the State Trauma and Emergency Care System since the departure of Dr. William Ramsey. Over the past several weeks, we've spent considerable effort evaluating the current system and looking at the direction we need to go. We've consulted with many of you to hear your concerns and suggestions. At this time, I would like to make you aware of the following:
Please share these announcements with others who may be interested. We plan to keep you up to date as progress continues on these and other matters. Thank you for your dedication and the hard work you do every day to provide the citizens of West Virginia with vital emergency medical care. I wish you and the people you hold dear a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, happy new year.
Sincerely,
Chris Curtis, M.P.H.
Acting Commissioner
West Virginia DHHR-Bureau for Public Health
Dear Colleague:
We'd like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on progress in working through the transition of the State Trauma and Emergency Care System since the departure of Dr. William Ramsey. Over the past several weeks, we've spent considerable effort evaluating the current system and looking at the direction we need to go. We've consulted with many of you to hear your concerns and suggestions. At this time, I would like to make you aware of the following:
Please share these announcements with others who may be interested. We plan to keep you up to date as progress continues on these and other matters. Thank you for your dedication and the hard work you do every day to provide the citizens of West Virginia with vital emergency medical care. I wish you and the people you hold dear a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, happy new year.
Sincerely,
Chris Curtis, M.P.H.
Acting Commissioner
West Virginia DHHR-Bureau for Public Health