Masthead
July 14, 2011
News from the CoAEMSP
A COMMITTEE ON ACCREDITATION OF CAAHEP

In This Issue
REGISTER FOR THE NOVEMBER ACCREDITATION WORKSHOP
HOW LONG DOES THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS TAKE?
NEW POLICY: PERSONNEL CHANGES
SITE VISITOR HIGHLIGHT: MARIE GOSPODARECK
AUGUST WEBINAR
MEET COAEMSP SECRETARY/TREASURER JAMES ATKINS, MD
MEET OUR SPONSORS: AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
YOUTUBE VIDEO
Quick Links
CoAEMSP Website

CAAHEP Website

NREMT Website

Institute of Medicine Report

National EMS Scope of Practice

EMS Agenda for the Future

Education Standards

National EMS Core Content 
Sponsors
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

American Ambulance Association (AAA)

 American College of Cardiology (ACC)

American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

 

 American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP)

 American College of Surgeons (ACS)

 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)

 International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)

 National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians (NAEMSP)

 National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)

 National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE)

 National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials (NASEMSO)

 National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) 
Join Our Mailing List

Attend the November Accreditation Workshop in Atlanta, GA  

One-on-One Sessions Now Available After the Workshop!  

   

Monday, November 14, 2011, 8:00 AM EDT

to Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 12 noon EDT

   

The Omni Hotel at the CNN Center

100 CNN Center 

Atlanta, GA  30303

(404) 659-0000

 

Accreditation Workshop: STEPS TO SUCCESS


This comprehensive two-day accreditation workshop will arm you with all you need for a successful accreditation experience. You will receive hands-on instructions and guidance. Plan to attend now.   


Register Now
 

 

Join us for an informative workshop, which will include the:

  1. Concept and overview of accreditation 
  2. Process of accreditation 
  3. Steps to the self study report with examples 
  4. Site visit process--how to prepare for it and what happens during and after the visit 
  5. Common stumbling blocks to accreditation and how to overcome them

NEW! Following the conclusion of the workshop at noon on Tuesday, November 15, presenters Dr. Hatch, Ms. Cason and Mr. York will be available for individual 15-minute sessions from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. These special 15-minute sessions will be based on time availability and requests made in advance. A sign-up roster will be available at the beginning of the workshop.

 

REGISTER NOW!  

 

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION fee is $300 through October 14, 2011. Beginning October 15, 2011, the registration fee is $350. This fee includes the cost of the workshop plus breakfast, lunch and breaks each day. Get complete information. 

 

The Accreditation Process:
From CoAEMSP to CAAHEP
 

   

How long does the accreditation process take? You have probably asked this question, especially if you are a newer program director. The answer: it depends. It depends on 1) the completeness of the Self Study Report when it is submitted; 2) providing site visit dates with ample time to coordinate a team; 3) whether the program is seeking initial accreditation or continuing accreditation; and 4) the timing of the site visit in relation to the next CoAEMSP and CAAHEP Board meetings. Although a program can be in control of many of the steps, they cannot be in control of CoAEMSP and CAAHEP meeting schedules, which have an affect on the length of the accreditation process. With 2013 on the horizon, it is important that programs understand the timeline for the end of the process: when CoAEMSP and CAAHEP meet.

 

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the accreditor; therefore, a Paramedic program is CAAHEP-accredited, NOT CoAEMSP-accredited. The Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) works under the auspices of CAAHEP and makes a recommendation of accreditation status to CAAHEP. CAAHEP meets every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November); CoAEMSP meets quarterly (February, May, August, November).

 

Due dates for CoAEMSP Board meetings are two months in advance. Why so long? Several reasons:

1) With an average meeting agenda containing 48-60 programs to review, it takes time to collect the program information and accreditation record, and collate an agenda book of just program data;

2) Approximately one month after the meeting due date, the Board members are grouped into four Review Teams (Team ALPHA, Team BRAVO, Team CHARLIE, Team DELTA) that meet for 3 hours via teleconference to review one-fourth of the programs on the agenda;

3) Following the four teleconferences, staff compiles the Review Teams' recommendations and creates the full CoAEMSP Board agenda book, which includes program recommendations and business-related items (policies, Standards interpretations, budget, site visitors, etc).; and,

4) Provides the agenda book to the CoAEMSP Board members with ample time to review it prior to the meeting.

 

After the CoAEMSP Board meets, it then forwards its accreditation recommendations to CAAHEP. CAAHEP meets every other month and CoAEMSP's deadline for getting materials to them is the 15th of the prior month. The CAAHEP Board then meets and reviews the accreditation record of the programs, then communicates its decision via mail within 10 days

 

Based on the steps that take place from CoAEMSP meeting deadline to CAAHEP notification, the timeline for the August CoAEMSP Board meeting is as follows:    

  • June 1 - progress reports and response to the site visit findings due to CoAEMSP
  • June 14 - July 5 - Review Teams meet (each Team receives the programs' accreditation record from staff at least 1 week in advance of teleconference)
  • July 6-20 - finalize agenda + compile agenda book
  • July 25 - send agenda books to Board members
  • August 5-6 - CoAEMSP Board meets
  • August 15 - CAAHEP meeting deadline; CoAEMSP forwards only recommendations for programs seeking initial accreditation
  • September 16 - CAAHEP meets and acts on CoAEMSP recommendations
  • October 1 - CAAHEP notifies programs of initial accreditation decision 

OR

  • October 15 - CAAHEP meeting deadline - CoAEMSP forwards all remaining recommendations for programs
  • November 19 - CAAHEP meets
  • December 1 - CAAHEP notifies programs of accreditation decision

Progress reports are reviewed by CoAEMSP and do not require CAAHEP action unless a change in accreditation status is recommended. CoAEMSP responds to the Program's progress report; however, only after the accreditation recommendations have been forwarded to CAAHEP.

 

Although sometimes it may feel like your response to the site visit findings or progress report goes into a deep black hole and it is forever before you hear anything, know that CoAEMSP and CAAHEP are working feverishly "behind the scenes". If you are ever in doubt, you are welcome to call the CoAEMSP Executive Office.

New Policy:

Personnel Changes

 

A new policy on Personnel Changes in "Key Personnel" (i.e., Program Director and Medical Director) has been incorporated into the Policies & Procedures Manual, which is available on the website.  It is Policy XII and defines such things as vacancies, absences, and replacements (temporary, acting) as well as timetables for reporting changes to CoAEMSP.

 

The policies are effective as of July 11, 2011.

   

Site Visitor Highlight:

Marie Gospodareck 


Marie Gospodareck

Marie has been a provider and instructor in continuing education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham since 1978, when she graduated from the school's Paramedic program. Since then, Marie also received her Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health and a Masters in Education from the University. Marie is also a provider and instructor at The Childrens' Hospital, a part-time pharmacy technician and phlebotomist for Southern Pharmaceutical Services, and a part-time instructor in EMS at Wallace State Community College.

 

In addition to being a site visitor for the CoAEMSP, Marie is on both the Program Committee and the Governance Committee for NAEMSE. She has also been involved in other professional committees and organizations including standard writing for ASTM International, and reviewer for Alabama State EMS Protocols State EMS Medical Committee.
   

August Webinar

Annual Report & the Resource Matrix 


Thursday, August 25 @ 1PM CT

Webinar 

 

Facilitators: George Hatch & Bill Goding

Description: At the end of the webinar, the participant will be able to complete the following:

  • identify the accreditation Standard that relates to the
    Annual Report (AR);
  • list the required outcomes;
  • state who must file an AR and when;
  • describe the components (tabs) of the AR; and
  • discuss the data required in each of the tabs

Register Now 

 

OCTOBER WEBINAR
Topic TBD, based on feedback from June & August webinars

Thursday, October 27 @ 1PM CT

 

Registration will begin September 15

Meet CoAEMSP Secretary/Treasurer
James Atkins, MD
   

James Atkins 

 

James Atkins, MD, is Director of Emergency Medicine Education, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. Previous to those appointments in 1983, 1991 and 1996 respectively, Dr. Atkins served as the Medical Director of the Dallas Area EMS System. He also was the Special Fellow in Nuclear Cardiology, a consultant to the Texas Department of Health on EMS, and Chief Resident of Internal Medicine at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, among other noted positions throughout his career.
   

Dr. Atkins holds licensure in the state of Texas; Certification from the Board of Nuclear Cardiology; and a diplomate from the National Board of Medical Examiners, American Board of Internal Medicine, and in the Subspecialty of Cardiovascular Disease from the American Board of Internal Medicine. 
 

A member of numerous professional societies and professional associations, Dr. Atkins has also received more than a dozen honors and awards including induction into the Texas EMS Hall of Fame, Honorary Life Member of the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, Texas Affiliate, and the first James M. Atkins, MD Achievement in EMSE Excellence Award.
   

Serving on numerous and multiple committees, Dr. Atkins has provided his expertise at Parkland Memorial Hospital;  Southwestern Medical School; Texas Department of Health; American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; American Medical Association; American College of Cardiology; Texas Medical Association; Dallas County Medical Society; CAAHEP; CoAEMSP; and other organizations. Over the course of his career, Dr. Atkins has published nearly 100 articles and dozens of abstracts.   

Representing the American College of Cardiology on the CoAEMSP Board of Directors since 1993, Dr. Atkins was Chairman of the Board from 2000-2003, and currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer.

    

Meet Our Sponsors:

American Ambulance Association 

American Ambulance Association  

The American Ambulance Association (AAA) representatives on the CoAEMSP Board of Directors are Bill Mergendahl and Ron Thackery. 
   

The mission of the AAA is: "To promote health care policies that ensure excellence in the ambulance services industry and provide research, education and communications programs to enable its members to effectively address the needs of the communities they serve."
   

Founded in 1979, the AAA represents ambulance services that participate in serving more than 75% of the U.S. population with emergency and non-emergency care and medical transportation services. The AAA was formed to meet the need for improvements in medical transportation and emergency medical services. The AAA is both a voice and a clearinghouse for ambulance services across the nation. Finally, it views pre-hospital care as a public service, as well as an essential part of the total public health care system. 
   

Also concerned with how legislation affects its members' ability to provide services, the AAA considers a major role to be educating policy makers and regulators in order for them to understand how their policy decisions affect their communities and their citizens' health care. As a result, the priorities of the AAA include:

  • Strengthening the support for Medicare Ambulance Payment Reform and Rural Equity Act and the passage of the Medicare Ambulance Relief
  • Advocating for congress to legislate an exemption for ambulance service providers from paying the federal excise tax on fuel and tires
  • Increasing homeland security funding for ambulance services and 
  • Improving OIG policies toward private providers

Governed by 15 Board Members overseeing five specific regions, the Executive Committee includes President Stephen Williamson, EMSA; President-Elect Jimmy Johnson, Life Emergency Medical Services; Immediate Past President James A. Finger, Regional Ambulance Services; Secretary Randy Strozyk, AMR, Northwest Division; and Treasurer-at-Large Dale Berry, Huron Valley Ambulance.   

 

Visit the AAA website 
 

YouTube Video Helps Students Choose an Accredited Educational Program 

YouTubeGraphic
This YouTube video helps make students
aware that the school they want to attend
may be accredited, but the EMS-Paramedic
educational 
program itself may not be.

 

YouTubeLogo  

The video "Specialized and Professional Accreditation: What should I know?" is produced by the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).     

 

Students can find an accredited Paramedic program near them by following this link.

 

Help educate potential students and build the credibility of your Paramedic educational program by posting this video link on your website.  

 

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Jennifer Anderson Warwick, MA
[email protected]
CoAEMSP