New NHTSA Guidelines

[AnthonyM83]

I just realized....I don't think we've discussed the new NHTSA upcoming guidelines....or did I miss this thread....

www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/nhtsa_static_file_downloader.jsp?file=/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/EMS_Feb07_PMS314.pdf

Basically FR, EMT, Adv. EMT, and Paramedic levels...scroll through for charts on scopes of practice.

[AnthonyM83]

And here's the organization with the job of coming up with the new educational standards to meet the new national scope of practice. http://www.nemsed.org/

Is anyone involved in this stuff?

Here's a meeting their having in DC in a couple weeks...

http://www.nemsed.org/meetings.html

[AnthonyM83]

I guess the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just appointed 25 EMS reps to its advisory council . . . it'd be nice if someday we had people from this site on there....THESE are the people and organizations making the changes and having influence, apparently.

The National Association of EMS Educators are the ones right now getting to increase those educational standards we've been talking about over and over on this site. The ones we'd like to "one day" get a chance to influence...yeah, they're deciding them right now.

At least visit the http://www.nemses.org/ site and see if there's feedback you'd like to give to them...now's your chance before the standards are locked in indefinitely. This will be replacing the US DOT standards.

(PS Maybe Admin could change the title of this thread to something that gets more people to click on it....)

[mrmeaner]

Thanks for posting this!

[AnthonyM83]

Glad SOMEONE has an interest . . . after the freaking gigs and gigs of worth of discussions on EMS education and scope and advancement.

[Ridryder 911]

Actually, I posted the discussion about placing input and possible changes over two years ago. As well with updates, etc..

The reason those that actually write and participate in making changes in curriculum do not post is simple. Read the majority of the postings. Most of those involved with policy changes are not going to participate or even care to be involved with some of the type of demonstration of the ideas and educational levels.

I actually know a few that was on the committee, as well as some on the new committee members for the Paramedic revision. From a few I know of, have actually visited EMS forums and either find them humorous or typical posting from those that do not understand educational standards and the requirements that is needed for a system. Seriously, you have a doctorate in education and you want to review posts about how difficult the Basic EMT was or how many skills they should know? Let's be reasonable and serious....

I have attempted to even get State EMS Directors involved. Difficult to take these forums seriously...

R/r 911

[JakeEMTP]

I glanced over the file and will look at it indepth when I have some more time. Trying to read that and work is sometimes a difficult chore.

Perhaps I missed it, or haven't reached that part yet, but is there a timeline for the implementation of the new scope or is it already in place? How is it possible to have 39 different levels of certifications between EMT-B and Paramedic? :? The information I have read so far in the guidelines seems reasonable enough. The scope of practice for paramedics is real close to what ours is here.

I also read about increasing skills without the proper education. I believe it went "Care must be taken to consider the level of cognition necessary to perform a skill safely. For instance, some skills may appear simple to perform, but require considerable clinical judgment to know when they should, and should not, be performed"

It's an interesting read. One that requires more time than I can devote to it now.

[FormerEMSLT297]

I tried to get on this committe and got rejected . a buddy of mine who is the President of a regional EMS council in NYS was also rejected.

I Guess they want "academics" and not people working in the field for 25 + years.

My simple BS and Exp. didnt get me a look. ohh well.

[Dustdevil]

I tried to get on this committe and got rejected . a buddy of mine who is the President of a regional EMS council in NYS was also rejected.

I Guess they want "academics" and not people working in the field for 25 + years.

My simple BS and Exp. didnt get me a look. ohh well.

I would guess that the reasoning for that is they think most field personnel don't "get it", because they are not thinking on the "big picture" level. That would be true. Unfortunately, the rest of us that do get it get wrongfully painted by that broad brush generalisation.

I submit that, while based on a sound assumption, their attitude is elitist at best, and is the prime reason that they FAIL at achieving anything useful or meaningful. I mean, think about it, it is blatantly obvious that simply being an "educator" (using the term very loosely in EMS) is no assurance of "getting it". Look how many of those so-called educators still think that a 12 week technical course is "good enough" to practise advanced emergency care. Look how many of them think that passing the NR is the gold standard of EMS education, and that all gold patches are created equal. Look how many of them think that a couple hundred hours of uniform inspections and marching drills are a wise way to spend limited educational time for medical practitioners. Nigga pleeeze!

When I talk about chukking the entire system and starting over from scratch, I mean the ENTIRE system. That includes the educators, who I personally hold most responsible for the sickening mess we find ourselves in today. Especially them! They are the ones who have most failed us in the last thirty five years, not the people in the field by fighting for and catering to the lowest common denominator. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, and our educators are the oldest dogs in this pack. I say to them, go back to the field or get out of the way, because few of you are doing us any favours from your ivory towers. You're just perpetuating the fraud.