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Issue link: https://emsworld.epubxp.com/i/53080
NEWS NETWORK By James J. Augustine, MD, FACEP The Age of Enlightenment for EMS During 2012, we will feature contribu- tions from our advisory board and authors as part of our 40th anniversary celebra- tions. This month Dr. Jim Augustine discusses what the next 40 years could look like for EMS. The economic deterioration of our country over the past few years coincides with a dramatic reform of our healthcare system and the need to reorganize our systems for unscheduled care. What will we see in the next 40 years? The "move- forward" options require leaders to develop and implement regional account- ® able and coordinated emergency systems. In accountable systems, there will be needs to reduce emergency demand through aggressive prevention programs; deliver medical services in sites beyond emergency departments; implement point-of-care service that can be deliv- ered by phone or with innovative crew confi gurations; and carefully coordinate all needed care. Elements of regional accountable and coordinated emergency systems will include: • Innovative "unscheduled care centers" for communications and care coordination; • Communications elements such as integrated nurse-advice, poison control and physician call services; • Career enhancement for providers, to include creation of new job categories and career-ladder opportunities; ® • Innovative methods of care delivery featuring telemedicine, nursing home care and physician house calls; • Integrated urgent care and unsched- uled home health operations; • Integration with public health to combat infectious-disease challenges; • Coordinated critical care and air ambulance transport services; • Public and provider education on prevention; • Care product development and research centers for products, supplies and equipment; • Disaster management for the community, with supply centers, hazmat decontamination and disaster communi- cation centers; • Coordinated pharmacy and medical supply centers, including home monitoring, orthopedic and rehab products. Knox MedVault Drug Locker REDUCE EXPOSURE TO NARCOTICS THEFT s NEWn7I&I; 2EMOTE!DMINISTRATION s NEWn4WO3IZES!VAILABLE s .ARCOTIC!CCESS#ONTROL !CCOUNTABILITY s +NOW7HO!CCESSED .ARCOTICS 7HEN PROTECT YOUR DEPARTMENT, STAFF AND INVENTORY 800-552-5669 s knoxbox.com 7 $EER6ALLEY2OAD 0HOENIX !: 16 FEBRUARY 2012 | EMSWORLD.com swww.knoxbox.comsINFO KNOXBOX COM For More Information Circle 59 on Reader Service Card