News archive: Aug
Friday, August 31, 2018
Fentanyl Safety Video
Justice Department announces release of new fentanyl safety video for first responders – The Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance today released the Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for First Responders’ companion training video Fentanyl: The Real Deal. The video was produced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help first responders protect themselves when the presence of fentanyl is suspected or encountered on the job. The video is available here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/key-issues/fentanyl/ . For more information click on the title above.
Remembering Howard CJ Fortner August 9, 1960 - August 24, 2018
Howard C (C.J.) Fortner, age 58, of Cool Ridge, WV, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, August 24, 2018. C.J. Was born in Frankfort, KY, and was the son of the late Iva M. Richmond Fortner. He was the Assistant Chief of Operations at Jan Care Ambulance for 23 years and was a member of the Beckley First Church of the Nazarene. For more information click on the title above.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Reminder:EMS Billing Codes For Suspected Overdose
The Bureau for Medical Services would like to remind all EMS first responders of the two new billing codes that were opened through the SUD Waiver program on January 14, 2018. These codes are specifically for EMS first responders serving West Virginia Medicaid members with a suspected overdose. The two new services are Naloxone Administered by EMS (A00998) and Referral to Treatment by EMS (H0050). You can bill for the administering of Naloxone regardless if the member is transported to the ER or not. Similarly, you can bill for the Referral to Treatment by EMS as long as information is shared with the member about the availability of local SUD services and/or the 1-844-HELP4WV helpline, regardless if the member agrees to seek treatment or not. For more information, click on the title above.
National Registry Recertification Reminder
All EMTs, Advanced-EMTs, and Paramedics due to recertify their National EMS Certification by March 31, 2019 are required to use the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP). As a reminder: 1) Refresher Course and Continuing Education components are now represented as National, Local and Individual. 2) EMS-related continuing education that reflects the current standards of practice and met the requirements of the traditional descriptions will transfer to meet the requirements of the NCCP model. 3) The NCCP recertification hours are: A)Paramedic: a total of 60 B)AEMT: a total of 50 hours EMT: a total of 40 hours C)EMR: a total of 16 hours. For more information, click on the title above.
Friday, August 24, 2018
Why you became an EMS professional?
Please send me (Melissa.j.raynes@wv.gov) your videos or stories that explain why you became an EMS professional. I would like to share these on The Positive Stories section of the wvoems.org website. Please click on the link below to view why Ed Sparks with Marion County Rescue Squad became a paramedic. He has been serving his community for 37 years! Thank you, Ed for sharing your story with all of us. You are an inspiration and a great role model!!! https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=576380959402696&id=548707185503407&_rdr
Monday, August 20, 2018
EMSAC September 11 2018 at 1:00 PM
The regularly scheduled statutory meeting of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (EMSAC) will be held on September 11, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Medical Coordination Center, 89 Richard D. Minnich Drive, Sutton, WV 26601. EMSAC Subcommittees will meet prior to the EMSAC meeting beginning 9:00 AM with the Special Interest subcommittee, 9:45 AM Administration subcommittee, 10:30 AM Safety subcommittee, 11:15 AM Policy/Procedure & Protocol subcommittee and 12:00 for the Training subcommittee.
Friday, August 10, 2018
WVU First Responder Appreciation Games: Youngstown St. Sept. 8 and Baylor Oct. 25
The WVU First Responder Appreciation games are the Youngstown St. game on Sat., Sept. 8 at 6 PM and the Baylor game on Thurs. Oct. 25, time TBD . For more information, click on the title above.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Situational Awareness
WV Health Advisory 149 provides guidance for healthcare providers and emergency departments. To download the advisory, click on the title above.