Author: marianhunter

ESO to Provide Software and Services to Virginia EMS Agencies, Fire Departments and Hospitals

Posted on by marianhunter

In conjunction with Virginia’s EMS System, the Western Virginia EMS Council recently partnered with software and data company ESO to build a comprehensive, statewide network to collect and track healthcare and public safety data from EMS agencies, fire departments and hospitals.

Benefits for Virginia’s EMS agencies, fire departments and hospitals include:

  • State of the art, web-based electronic patient care reporting (ePCR) system for easy access to quickly input data.
  • Detailed analytics to provide insights around injuries, performance and patient outcomes to drive improvement.
  • Full compliance and integration with NEMSIS 3.4 for easy and automatic reporting of data at both the state and national level.
  • Integration with third-party ePCR systems to ensure continuity of data collection and reporting.
  • Expertise, training and consultation to ensure opportunity for success for the state and all agencies.
  • Comprehensive, evidence-based emergency medical system to help reduce death and disability.
  • Real-time insights and data sharing to improve patient outcomes.
  • World-class research and insights to drive clinical change.

The Virginia EMS System and ESO will roll out a broad array of software and services, including cloud-based data capture and reporting software, bidirectional data sharing between EMS and hospitals, and trauma registry software. The system will be live and fully functional for all state agencies by July 1.

To learn more, visit: https://www.eso.com/virginia/.

WVEMS Council Names New Executive Director

Posted on by marianhunter

December 11, 2020 – After an exhaustive search and lengthy interview process, the Executive Committee of the Western Virginia EMS Council announces the hiring of Stephen G. Simon as its next executive director, effective in early March 2021.

Steve currently serves as Chief of the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department, a position he has held since 2015. He has worked for the department since 1994, and recently announced his retirement.

Steve will replace Robert Logan, who has held the executive director position since 1995. Logan will retire in March.

Simon’s first day in the Council’s executive director role is set for March 8. “We welcome Steve aboard, and look forward to his leadership and participation following Rob Logan’s long tenure with the Council,” said Council President Mike Jefferson.

For more information, please contact WVEMS Council Executive Director, Robert Logan at (540) 400‐1243 or email logan@vaems.org.

COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Survey

Posted on by marianhunter

The Virginia Office of EMS is trying to determine Virginia EMS providers’ perspective on receiving an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine and is investigating vaccine hesitancy. This survey will take approximately 1 to 5 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous.

To take the anonymous survey, please visit: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=97LTLHMT9R. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services’ Division Director Recognized by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health as Virginia’s 2020 “Community Star” Award Winner

Posted on by marianhunter
Tim Perkins Headshot
Tim Perkins, Division Director, Community Health and Technical Resources

Tim Perkins, division director for Community Health and Technical Resources with the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) was recently honored with the prestigious “Community Star” award from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH).

Every year, the NOSORH leads National Rural Health Day, an annual celebration that recognizes those who serve the vital health needs of an estimated 57 million people living in rural America, and celebrates Community Star award winners across the nation.

The Community Star Recognition Program’s nominees are selected by their state’s coalition to recognize individuals and organizations that make a positive impact in rural communities. This year, nominations were received from 48 states, a record for this annual awards program.

In Virginia, Tim Perkins was selected as this year’s Community Star award winner. As the Division Director for the OEMS’ Community Health and Technical Resources Division, he is responsible for working with rural EMS agencies, rescue squads and Regional EMS Councils throughout the commonwealth to provide a range of education, resources and technical assistance. He advocates for various agencies at the state level and oversees multiple initiatives, including mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine, disease management and preventative health care services.

During Perkins’ 14 years at the OEMS, there have been many changes in the provision of emergency care, which have put a strain on rural areas, including agencies that heavily rely on volunteers, an aging workforce, and recruitment and retention challenges. However, Perkins continues to be a leader in this field and has met those challenges by focusing his efforts on response and increased telehealth services in rural Virginia.

Perkins is an asset to Virginia’s EMS System and his contributions to rural health and the provision of emergency care is commended. The OEMS is proud to congratulate and recognize Perkins for his outstanding achievements and commitment to protect the health of all people in the commonwealth.

For more information about the Community Star award, please visit: https://www.powerofrural.org/community-stars/. ​​On November 19, Tim Perkins will appear in the 2020 edition of the book of Community Stars, published on the official National Rural Health Day website, powerofrural.org.