The ArAA asks that you keep each of the agencies, the responders, and those impacted by Hurricanes Milton & Helene in your thoughts & prayers. Our members, alongside crews nationwide, continue to support local EMS, fire, and rescue operations in the impacted areas. 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION TODAY!

Applications for a two-year term are due November 1, 2024

NEMSAC Seeking New Members to Join in the National Conversation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking applications for appointment to the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC). By joining NEMSAC, EMS professionals can be a part of the national conversation on issues impacting the EMS community. NEMSAC is a council of EMS sector representatives (which includes consumers of EMS) that provides information, advice, and recommendations regarding EMS to NHTSA and the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS).

Applications for membership must be received on or before 5 p.m. ET, November 1, 2024. 

Visit our news page for more details or learn more here! 

Industry Insights

The Health Care Landscape in Arkansas & the 2024 Election

A new KFF tool generates data-driven fact sheets that lay out the health care landscape in every state against the backdrop of the 2024 election.  The Arkansas specific fact sheet can be found here: [KFF%20Releases%20Election%20Fact%20Sheets%20About%20the%20Health%20Care%20Landscape%20in%20Every%20State]. 

These state “snapshots” provide information on a variety of health care topics that may be the focus of campaign and policy debates. Topics include health costs; medical debt; women’s health policy, including state abortion, contraception and maternity laws and policies; health coverage, including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and prescription drug coverage, Medicaid, and employer-sponsored insurance; gender affirming care; and basic information on health status, population and income. 

The new tool is part of KFF’s broader collection of Election 2024-related resources, including our side-by-side comparison of the candidates’ positions and records on health policy issues.

Letter to Health Care Leaders and Stakeholders on Impacts of Hurricane Helene from Secretary Becerra

Dear Partner:

Thank you for your work on behalf of individuals and communities around this country every day. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continues responding to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, I want to first acknowledge the loss of life and continued search and rescue mission underway in the Southeast. HHS has over 400 personnel on the ground, and that number continues to grow. In addition to our responders supporting the impacted communities, I want to assure you that the Department is working tirelessly to mitigate the sterile solutions supply chain disruptions you may already be experiencing as a result of the storm. The U.S. Government (USG) has been working with Baxter at the highest level from the day the storm hit North Carolina, first to ensure Baxter employees and their families are safe. Since then, we have been in constant communication with Baxter and other solutions manufacturers to address gaps in supplies. My Department commits to mitigating the impact of Hurricane Helene and doing all we can to prevent further disruption as a result of Hurricane Milton. Not only do we commit to doing all we can during this supply chain disruption, but we also commit to doing all we can to diversify and build resilience in this supply chain going forward.

This is the status of the current supply chain disruption.

The impacts of Hurricane Helene have led to the temporary supply disruption at the Baxter facility in Marion, North Carolina. The Baxter facility provides a significant portion of IV solutions, irrigation fluids, and peritoneal solutions to the U.S. medical system. There are currently shortages of normal saline IV fluids, normal saline irrigation fluid, sterile water irrigation, and dextrose 5% IV fluids that pre-date Hurricane Helene. The hurricane-related supply disruption at the Baxter facility will likely lead to further constraints for IV fluids. However, compounding of drugs on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) shortage list can be done in accordance with current requirements to help alleviate shortages [see Compounding when Drugs are on FDA’s Drug Shortages List | FDA]. In the coming weeks, supply may continue to be constrained, and we understand that certain products are on allocation; however, Baxter reported that they have resumed shipments to hospitals and dialysis providers and patients after the temporary hold last week, based on allocations as previously communicated. The inventory will be used to support current allocations in the short term, and they note that several of their global plants are scaling and ramping production to help meet U.S. needs.  Other producers are expected to be able to continue to fulfill domestic orders within their allocation.

Click here for the full article 

ARHP Launches the Arkansas Rural Health Academy

The Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP) launches the Arkansas Rural Health Academy (ARHA)to meet the critical, in-demand training needs of rural health member organizations across the state.

The Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP) is a non-profit healthcare organization headquartered in Lake Village, Arkansas. ARHP members currently include 19 rural hospitals, 2 federally qualified health centers, and 3 medical teaching institutions. Initiatives aim to improve the health and wellness of rural residents, build a health workforce pipeline, sustain rural hospitals, and strengthen rural economies. The organization serves as a hub for economic growth and development across the region and a voice for rural health entities across the state of Arkansas and beyond.

Access full article here

National Registry's Recertification Window Opens October 1, 2024 For EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics

Key Improvements to the Recertification Application Process

• Streamlined Application: The application process has been simplified by removing unnecessary steps, allowing clinicians to complete their submissions faster than ever before. 

• Reduced ConED Questions: The number of questions related to continuing education (ConED) has been reduced, making the process more straightforward and expediting the time needed to submit applications. 

• Automatic Course Assignment: The CAPCE Import tool will now automatically assign courses to the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) topics, minimizing manual input for clinicians and increasing accuracy. 

• Submission Assurance: Application submission has been improved to alleviate concerns about incomplete applications. In most cases, applications will be automatically submitted as long as a clinician has completed the recertification requirements and the payment process. 

Learn more here: National Registry's Recertification Window Opens Today For EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics | National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (nremt.org)

Arkansas DHS COVID-19 Update

The chart below details COVID hospitalizations by date for the last thirty days.  The data is updated by the state weekly and can be accessed here.

Upcoming Events

October 20 - 24, 2024 - National Conference on Ambulance Revenue Cycle Management and Compliance in Hershey, PA (Learn More)

October 23, 2024 - Emerging Cyber Threats & Trends in Healthcare Webinar (Learn More & Register Here)

November 1, 2024 - NEMSAC Applications are due on or before 5 p.m. ET (Learn More)

November 6, 2024 - Arkansas EMS Advisory Council Meeting at 1:30 pm central in Little Rock, AR (Learn More)

November 11 - 13, 2024 - American Ambulance Association Stars of Life in Washington, D.C. (Learn More)

Resources

• Arkansas EMS License Renewals
• EMS Voluntary Notification Tool (E.V.E.N.T.) 
  
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (nremt.org)
  
• Arkansas EMS Foundation (arkemsfoundation.org)