Once again EMS is changing. For the second time since 1996\nan EMS Agenda for the future has been released. The EMS Agenda 2050 \u201cA\nPeople-Centered Vision for the Future of Emergency Medical Services\u201d describes\nthe changes that EMS will strive to make over the next 30 years. The National\nAssociation of EMS Physicians and the American Ambulance Association are just\ntwo of many organizations that collaborated on the creation of this document. It\nseems the once militaristic, isolated, and tradition-based EMS will be no more.\nThe new open minded, innovative, forward thinking, collaborative, evidence-based\nEMS system is being born. The Agenda outlines 6 core elements that will bring\nthis new EMS system to fruition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inherently Safe and Effective is the first guiding principle\nof the 2050 agenda for the future. The concept behind this guideline is to\nensure that EMS providers are performing practices that are supported by\nresearch to ensure the proper and safe management of each patient. \u201cThe entire\nEMS system, from how care is accessed to how it is delivered, is designed to be\ninherently safe and to minimize exposure of people to injury, infections,\nillness or stress.\u201d1<\/sup> The agenda recognizes the past failures in EMS\nrelated to the many non-evidence-based practices that have been in place for\nthe last 2 decades. The idea of ensuring that all practices in EMS are evidence\nbased seems to be a common theme throughout. The document discusses how the use\nof modern technology and research will be used to achieve the goal of\nincreasing safety and ensuring the effectiveness of our care provided in the\nfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second guiding principle, known as Integrated and\nSeamless, outlines the importance of collaboration between all health care\nindustries and services to ensure proper management of all patients. \u201cAs EMS\nbecomes more integrated into the broader healthcare delivery model, the need\nfor collaboration and stakeholder engagement is going to be vital.\u201d1<\/sup>\nThis section of the document relies heavily on the idea that healthcare\nproviders are all on the same team and have the same goals in mind. To\naccomplish the goal of providing the best possible care to their patients they\nmust learn to work together and not against each other. This can be\naccomplished not only by working together but also training together. The ideas\nof leadership, mentoring, and teamwork are the key concepts behind the\nIntegrated and Seamless principal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is reasonable to assume that when a person calls 911\nthere are certain expectations that are made by the caller. They may expect\nthat someone will answer their call, emergency services will be dispatched, and\nthat reliable and prepared professionals will arrive and render aid. The 2050\nEMS Agenda stresses the goal of ensuring that EMS responders are reliable and\nprepared. According to the document, this goal does not come without its\ndifficulties. Strained health care infrastructures, high call volumes, changes\nin educational standards, and high turnover rates are some listed examples that\nmake reaching the goal difficult. However, the Agenda discusses how these\nchallenges can be overcome with the use of technology and by making a change in\nthe current EMS culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every patient is different and requires a unique assessment\nand set of treatments. It is the same concept that no two patients or that no\ntwo calls are the same. It is understandable that naturally each patient will\nreceive different treatments and assessments but responders must not use this\nas an excuse to treat patients differently for other reasons. According to the\nAgenda, research has shown that the lack of appropriate treatments may arise\nfrom racism, sexism, ageism, and other social or economic reasons. The third\nguiding principal, Socially Equitable, focuses on ensuring that all patients\nhave access to, and are administered, the appropriate care for their condition\nregardless of their race, age, sex, or socioeconomical status. There are many\nsolutions that need to be taken to combat these factors. When it comes to\nsocioeconomic reasons, modern technology may be the solution. With technology\nthere are many ways that patients can receive adequate assessment and\ntreatments despite the socioeconomic related factors. One example that is used\nis providing patients with the ability to schedule a Teladoc appointment if\ncost or distance would normally be a factor that would prevent them from\ngetting the care they need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The second to last guiding principle is Sustainable and\nEfficient. This portion of the Agenda focuses on the importance of EMS being a\nforward looking system. It also discusses the importance of accountability for\neach organization under the EMS umbrella. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The final guiding principle is Adaptable and Innovative. \u201cAdaptable\nEMS systems quickly and effectively meet the evolving needs of the population.\nEMS continuously and methodically evaluates new technologies, system designs,\neducational programs and other aspects of the system in order to best meet the\nneeds and desires of the people and communities it serves.\u201d1<\/sup> As the\nworld continues to change, new technologies are discovered, and new equipment\nis introduced into the field of EMS, responders must learn to adopt and adapt\nto the new treatment and assessment methods that are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n