Once again EMS is changing. For the second time since 1996 an EMS Agenda for the future has been released. The EMS Agenda 2050 “A People-Centered Vision for the Future of Emergency Medical Services” describes the changes that EMS will strive to make over the next 30 years. The National Association of EMS Physicians and the American Ambulance Association are just two of many organizations that collaborated on the creation of this document. It seems the once militaristic, isolated, and tradition-based EMS will be no more. The new open minded, innovative, forward thinking, collaborative, evidence-based EMS system is being born. The Agenda outlines 6 core elements that will bring this new EMS system to fruition.
Inherently Safe and Effective is the first guiding principle of the 2050 agenda for the future. The concept behind this guideline is to ensure that EMS providers are performing practices that are supported by research to ensure the proper and safe management of each patient. “The entire EMS system, from how care is accessed to how it is delivered, is designed to be inherently safe and to minimize exposure of people to injury, infections, illness or stress.”1 The agenda recognizes the past failures in EMS related to the many non-evidence-based practices that have been in place for the last 2 decades. The idea of ensuring that all practices in EMS are evidence based seems to be a common theme throughout. The document discusses how the use of modern technology and research will be used to achieve the goal of increasing safety and ensuring the effectiveness of our care provided in the field.
The second guiding principle, known as Integrated and Seamless, outlines the importance of collaboration between all health care industries and services to ensure proper management of all patients. “As EMS becomes more integrated into the broader healthcare delivery model, the need for collaboration and stakeholder engagement is going to be vital.”1 This section of the document relies heavily on the idea that healthcare providers are all on the same team and have the same goals in mind. To accomplish the goal of providing the best possible care to their patients they must learn to work together and not against each other. This can be accomplished not only by working together but also training together. The ideas of leadership, mentoring, and teamwork are the key concepts behind the Integrated and Seamless principal.
It is reasonable to assume that when a person calls 911 there are certain expectations that are made by the caller. They may expect that someone will answer their call, emergency services will be dispatched, and that reliable and prepared professionals will arrive and render aid. The 2050 EMS Agenda stresses the goal of ensuring that EMS responders are reliable and prepared. According to the document, this goal does not come without its difficulties. Strained health care infrastructures, high call volumes, changes in educational standards, and high turnover rates are some listed examples that make reaching the goal difficult. However, the Agenda discusses how these challenges can be overcome with the use of technology and by making a change in the current EMS culture.
Every patient is different and requires a unique assessment and set of treatments. It is the same concept that no two patients or that no two calls are the same. It is understandable that naturally each patient will receive different treatments and assessments but responders must not use this as an excuse to treat patients differently for other reasons. According to the Agenda, research has shown that the lack of appropriate treatments may arise from racism, sexism, ageism, and other social or economic reasons. The third guiding principal, Socially Equitable, focuses on ensuring that all patients have access to, and are administered, the appropriate care for their condition regardless of their race, age, sex, or socioeconomical status. There are many solutions that need to be taken to combat these factors. When it comes to socioeconomic reasons, modern technology may be the solution. With technology there are many ways that patients can receive adequate assessment and treatments despite the socioeconomic related factors. One example that is used is providing patients with the ability to schedule a Teladoc appointment if cost or distance would normally be a factor that would prevent them from getting the care they need.
The second to last guiding principle is Sustainable and Efficient. This portion of the Agenda focuses on the importance of EMS being a forward looking system. It also discusses the importance of accountability for each organization under the EMS umbrella.
The final guiding principle is Adaptable and Innovative. “Adaptable EMS systems quickly and effectively meet the evolving needs of the population. EMS continuously and methodically evaluates new technologies, system designs, educational programs and other aspects of the system in order to best meet the needs and desires of the people and communities it serves.”1 As the world continues to change, new technologies are discovered, and new equipment is introduced into the field of EMS, responders must learn to adopt and adapt to the new treatment and assessment methods that are available.
The EMS world continues to improve and look toward the future. Times will continue to change and so will EMS. Click here for more information on the EMS Agenda for the Future 2050.
References
- EMS Agenda 2050 Technical Expert Panel, (2019). EMS Agenda 2050, A People-Centered Vision for the Future of Emergency Medical Services.
