WVEMS e-NEWSLETTER - December 1, 2023
WVEMS e-NEWSLETTER – December 1, 2023
Sovah Health - Drug Box Exchange Process - Revised
Effective Immediately, Sovah Health Martinsville and Danville have transitioned to hospital assigned drug boxes and will only exchange WVEMS Drug Boxes for agencies assigned to each of their facilities. Please review the attached Memo for more information.
EMS Lunch and Learn – December 6, 2023
LewisGale Medical Center and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital to offer EMS Lunch and Learn on December 6, 2023, from 1300 to 1400 at Galen College of Nursing. This lunch and learn will offer EMS CE and will be Pediatric Trauma Case Reviews. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
WVEMS 2023 Protocols Released
The 2023 WVEMS Operational Protocols have been released with an official go-live date of October 23, 2023. The protocol update consists of reviewing the 2023 WVEMS Protocols/Policies, reviewing the 2023 Drug Box Schematic, watching the protocol rollout video, and signing the provider attestation form, and turning this form into your agency training officer. Provider attestation forms will be kept on file within the agency training files. Your agency leadership in consultation with your EMS Physician (OMD) will decide when your agency will transition to the 2023 WVEMS Protocol Version and if more agency specific training is required. The specific protocol changes are notated in the one-page Attestation form. WVEMS is available to assist EMS agencies that would like assistance and is recommended to contact their Field Coordinator for different options or by emailing wvprotocols@PROTECTED.
WVEMS Drug Boxes will be updated to the 2023 Schematic through routine exchange; do not take your drug box to the pharmacy just to obtain an updated box. Should you have any questions about emergent infield patient care, contact "online medical direction" of the receiving facility, otherwise contact your agency EMS Physician, or WVEMS staff.
Please keep in mind that you are NOT allowed to practice under the new protocol guidelines until your EMS Physician (Operational Medical Director) has cleared you to do so. You can easily toggle between protocol versions under the settings located within the app (currently you will see the 2022 and the 2023 Versions located in the iOS and Android Applications).
Drug boxes that have been updated will have the following neon PINK label:
2023 Protocol Update
- 2023 WVEMS Protocols: WVEMS Protocols 2023
- 2023 WVEMS Drug Box Schematic: WVEMS Drug Box Detail 2023
- 2023 WVEMS Protocol Rollout Video: WVEMS Roll Out Video 2023
- 2023 WVEMS Protocols Attestation Form: WVEMS Roll Out Attestation 2023
You can visit wvems.org for more information.
National Ketamine Shortage
There is currently a national shortage of Ketamine. There will be no substitute during the shortage. Should pharmacies be unable to replace, the box will be marked that there is no Ketamine due to shortage. WVEMS remains in contact with pharmacies and will update agencies as more information becomes available.
IV and Medication Storage - Temperature Extremes
It is that time of the year that we must remain vigilant about medication and IV fluid temperatures on our licensed EMS vehicles. Please remember that Regional Drug Boxes and IV Fluids must be kept within the manufacturer's temperature guidelines. Failure to do so could result in your agency being charged the cost to replace medications damaged by exposure to extreme temperatures. 12VAC5-31-520 Storage and security of drugs and related supplies.
Bio-Hazard Trash at WVEMS Hospitals
WVEMS Hospitals request your assistance with utilizing the correct bins for trash and bio-hazard waste. Please do not place regular trash in the bio-hazard (red) cans.
WVEMS Region Facing Many Hospital EMS Diversions
WVEMS and SWHC continue to monitor and assist EMS agencies and Hospitals with navigating the Hospital Diversions affecting our region, which includes Planning Districts 4, 5 & 12. These EMS Diversions do not apply to any ALERTS (Gold, Trauma, OB, Stroke, Heart, etc) or any CRITICAL Patients. Please contact WVEMS with any questions.
Western Virginia EMS Council
1944 Peters Creek Road NW
Roanoke VA 24017-1613
tel 540.562.3482
fax 540.562.3488
www.wvems.org
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