EMS System Review - State of New Jersey

State of New Jersey, DHSS, OEMSConsulting Services: EMS System ReviewFigure 8: Scores for Human ResourcesHuman ResourcesGroup Score Average 1.83 (Marginal)2.502.00Score 1 - 51.501.000.500.001GroupMedical Direction – Many felt that a quality paradox exists in NJEMS medicaldirection. At the ALS level, physicians exert significant oversight into the operations, education,and quality management of EMS providers. BLS level medical direction is just the opposite withlittle direct physician involvement at the local level. Licensed BLS companies are required tohave medical directors, however, the level of activity of the medical directors varies greatly. The507 volunteer squads in New Jersey are not required to have medical directors unless theyparticipate in an optional program such as epinephrine-auto injector.Other medical direction issues raised by the focus groups included New Jersey not havinga statewide medical director, poor oversight of physicians wanting to be involved in EMS, andnot having a hierarchical system of medical direction throughout the state. The most organizedaspect of medical direction is the NJ Mobile Intensive Council that communicates their concernsto the Health Commissioner, State EMS Director, and other EMS administrators. This committeehas many experienced EMS physician participants who appear frustrated by legislative andregulatory roadblocks.The focus groups scored this component M = 2.28, SD = 0.46, indicating a rating ofmarginal (Figure 9).TriData, a Division of 38September 2007System Planning Corporation