EMS News Briefs from Mike McEvoy

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

No HIPAA Restrictions on Vax Status Inquiries
While the U.S. Department of Labor last year advised that employers are not precluded from asking members about their vaccination status, many organizations have cited HIPAA as an obstacle to asking for this information. The Department of Health and Human Services clarified on September 30, 2021, that this is NOT the case. Fire departments, EMS agencies, and employers are not prohibited by HIPAA or any other privacy rule from asking members about their vaccination status. See the HIPAA Q&A here.

New Executive Order and EMS
Governor Kathy Hochul issued Executive Order #4 with several implications for EMS. EMS providers can now provide both emergency and non-emergency services within their scope of practice beyond the settings currently authorized, including hospitals. Community paramedicine, alternative destinations, and telemedicine are now authorized, as approved by DOH. Certifications may again be extended for an additional year, if training is shut down as it was last winter (not currently the case). Medical control options are expanded. The definition of EMS has been expanded. See the order here.