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EMS at the Crossroads
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First, thank you for discussing the IOM report. The more we discuss it the more life we infuse into the work that has gone into producing a roadmap of opportunity in our wonderful profession. I think back to the early 90's and listening to Jim Page talk about the History of EMS. We've come a long way baby and I am encouraged that the "problems" have been identified for us. It's like a performance report. We know we do alot of good for alot of people and we know we make a difference - even if it is just giving people a peace of mind that someone is coming. We have not lost our way, we are simply at the "crossroads". It is a journey and we are finding our way with the help of the IOM, federal & state constituency groups and local discussions amongst our own organizations. If we keep our eye on patient care then our path will be straight. Crossroads just give us an opportunity to reflect on the past, make changes in the present, and have a renewed hope for the future. So, the first step seems to be to read the report. Thank you for providing a forum for discussion even though this response is more philosophical than clinical.
Jul 27, 2006,
10:09
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About the columnist: Matt is the Director of
Tri-State Ambulance, a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Gundersen Lutheran Healthcare System located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Tri-State serves as the sole 9-1-1 advanced life support provider for the 2,200 square mile greater Coulee Region local in Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota.
He holds a Masters Degree in Health Service Administration and has 25 years experience in EMS including volunteer, fire department, public and private sector EMS agencies. He is a former paramedic and has managed private sector ambulance services from 10,000 to more than 100,000 annual call volume in locations including Fairfield, Connecticut; Augusta, Georgia and Orlando, Florida. He has also served as a regulator in Lincoln, Nebraska and Volusia County (Daytona Beach), Florida.
Matt is a frequent speaker at national conferences and has done consulting in numerous EMS issues, specializing in high performance EMS system operations, public/media relations, public policy, employee recruitment and retention, data analysis, costing strategies and EMS research.
He has served as the American Ambulance Association as Chair of the Industry Image Committee and membership on the Professional Standards, Strategic Development and Management Training Institute Committees.
Matt is an Adjunct Faculty for the UCF's College of Health and Public Affairs teaching courses in Healthcare Economics and Policy, Ethics, Managed Care and US Healthcare Systems.
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