EMS News Updates

By EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy, Ph.D., NRP, RN, CCRN
NYSAFC EMS Committee

Why Do We Carry Epi-Pens?
Good question, especially since the cost of an Epi-Pen® has increased to over $400 per kit. Paramedic Cris Kaiser caught the eye of the National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO) who, in their January 2015 newsletter, called out his recent blog post on the subject. Some departments aren't waiting for anyone to tell them that they can purchase the same medication for less than $4 if they train providers how to draw the epi from a glass ampule and administer it with a needle and syringe. King County (Seattle) just made the lead (learn more here). Will New York state ever approve the switch? Check with your local REMAC - that's where the idea needs to start.

Narcotics Requirement Stalled
New York State Bureau of EMS and Trauma Policy Statement #13-07 that imposed a May 1, 2015, deadline for all ALS services in New York state to possess and administer controlled substances (CS) has been kiboshed. The Division of Legal Affairs (DLA) informed the State EMS Council (SEMSCO) in January that the policy statement set a "criteria for doing business" and therefore, needed to be done through the New York state regulatory process rather than by issuance of a Policy Statement. Check the next issue of NYSAFC's SIZE UP magazine for the complete story.