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IDHS > About IDHS > Certification > Emergency Medical Services > EMS Commission Briefs EMS Commission Briefs

August 2013

On August 16, 2013, the EMS Commission held its 4th meeting for 2013. In brief, the following took place:

  • Waivers for seasoned RNs with emergency room experience  and who are current EMT-Basic Advances were granted for them to challenge the AEMT written and practical exams. Their RN education was substituted for the bridge course.
  • Permission was denied to an EMS service asking that their AEMTs, who trained on skills above the AEMT scope of practice, be allowed to perform those advanced skills in the field.
  • Ball Memorial Hospital was granted “In Process” standing to begin taking patients from EMS as a Level III Trauma Center.
  • The POST (Physician’s Order for Scope of Treatment) curriculum was passed by the Commission as a new curriculum requirement for both EMR and EMT but for all recertifying EMS personnel beginning on January 1, 2014. More information will follow.
  • The additional curriculum for the AEMT course, including 12-lead, EKG, and defibrillation, was preliminarily approved by  the EMS Commission. This is pending the review of the Commission and TAC physicians.

June 2013

On June 7, 2013, the EMS Commission held its third meeting for 2013. In brief, the following rules were made:

  • The interpretation from the Attorney General's office for waivers for practicing above the Indiana EMS standard are as follows:
    • Teaching: A training institution can teach anything they choose without a waiver. It is not in the rules that a waiver is required for a training institution to teach more than the minimum standards.
    • Practicing: Providers cannot put in waivers to practice above the minimum scope of practice as “providers” do not practice, the individuals do. Individuals, however, may put in a “request” to practice above the minimum standard. No “waiver” will be accepted as this is not a rule, per se, to be waived. The commission would be authorizing a request from the individual to practice above the minimum scope set by the rules.
    • Summation: A training institution can teach whatever they want above the minimum standards. In order to perform/practice above those standards, a “request” would have to be approved to the INDIVIDUAL by the Commission in order to do so.
  • The previous Basic-Advanced Curriculum was added to the New Advanced Curriculum. All students must be educated to the National Education Standards as well as the Indiana specific curriculum which now includes:
    • EKG application and interpretation of the following rhythms (Sinus Rhythms, PEA, Asystole, V-Fib, and V-Tach); Defibrillation; and 12-Lead acquisition and transmission ONLY (no interpretation).
    • The testing mechanism for these additional skills and concepts are in development, and we will let everyone know once they are established.
    • All current Advanced and Advanced Bridge Courses must teach these Indiana Specific Additional Curricula.
      • If you are an Advanced Provider, the utilization of these additional skills is dependent upon the authorization of your Medical Director.
      • In other words, if your Medical Director does not authorize your personnel to perform these skills, then you cannot perform these skills.
    • The National Education Standards for the Paramedic Curriculum should be utilized to teach these additional skills and concepts. Those can be found at: www.ems.gov/EducationStandards.htm under Paramedic Instructional Guidelines.
  • Through confirmation by National Registry, the only Bridge students who do not need to take the Registry practical are those who have current I-85 or I-99 National Registry Certifications. They do not consider the Indiana only certifications to be sufficient to bypass the practical skills exam. This practice cancels our previous understanding that ALL bridge students would not need to take the practical portion of their National Registry test.

March 2013

On March 22, 2013, the EMS Commission held its second meeting for 2013. In brief, the following rulings were made:

  • A waiver was submitted on behalf of all Indiana providers so that the Indiana specific data requirements no longer need to be submitted to the state. Only the NEMSIS data requirements must now be submitted.
  • All training institution and provider waivers to teach and practice above the minimum standards were tabled until the Attorney General’s office issues an interpretation of the current rule. Waivers may not be needed.
  • The new EMR and EMT skills sheets have been approved by the EMS Commission. ALL skills practicals must test using the new skills sheets by May 1, 2013. Until then, the new skills stations will have to be validated by the training institution and then submitted to the state. For more information on this point, contact Liz Fiato at efiato@dhs.in.gov.
  • The EMS Commission ruled that for the State written test, the accommodations for a student with a disability will mirror that of the national Registry. They will be given half the amount above the standard time to complete their exam. Students must make this known at the time of scheduling their test.
  • ALS training institutions who are not accredited but wish to teach a bridge course may apply for a State waiver of that rule. National Registry will permit students to test as long as they have taken a state approved bridge course.
  • Through confirmation by National Registry, the only Bridge students who do not need to take the Registry practical are those who have current I-85 or I-99 National Registry Certifications. They do not consider the Indiana only certifications to be sufficient to bypass the practical skills exam. This practice cancels our previous understanding that ALL bridge students would not need to take the practical portion of their National Registry test.

January 2013

On January 18, 2013, the EMS Commission held its first meeting for 2013. In brief, the following rulings were made:

  • The National Education Standards (NES) represent the national minimum standards that all EMS responders should be trained. The State of Indiana Advanced EMT curriculum will follow the NES with only the addition of Adult IO. This curriculum does not allow for the teaching or practice of EKG application, interpretation, or transmission. Any Basic-Advanced Providers transitioning to Advanced EMT will have to request waivers to practice EKG skills.
  • Any training institution wishing to teach above the NES or any provider wishing to practice above the NES will have to apply for a waiver with the EMS Commission.
    • Training Institutions must demonstrate how they will test and validate the skills above the NES since they will not be tested in the State or Registry tests.
    • Providers must demonstrate the need for these additional skills and show how they will teach the skills, who will teach them, and how they will test and validate the additional skills.
    • It is recommended that data driven proof accompany your waiver request for any addition of skills, medications, etc.
  • Paramedic Training Institutions who are not currently accredited but wish to begin Paramedic training courses must apply for and receive a waiver for the EMS Commission. They must also submit their courses to the State for approval according to the requirements approved by the EMS Commission. See page http://www.in.gov/dhs/3778.htm.

    • Meeting Minutes

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