Emergency Medical Review Committee

• Overview
• Purpose
• Membership
• Meetings
• Helpful Links
• Reports
• Publications
• Committee Bylaws

Overview

On January 25, 2008 the Florida Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Council voted and approved an implementation plan that would develop the state's first Emergency Medical Review Committee (EMRC). Florida Statutes 401.425 provides the department with the authority to develop and maintain the EMRC. The EMRC provides a mechanism for statewide and national EMS data analysis for the purpose of statewide quality improvement and research. The EMRC will also assist the Bureau of EMS in mapping all report queries making sure data elements and data subset elements are appropriate for a report and/or research being conducted.

Purpose

The Florida Emergency Medical Services Program Emergency Medical Review Committee (EMRC) provides a mechanism for statewide EMS data analysis and review for the purpose of statewide and national quality improvement initiatives. Information obtained for EMRC review is collected from the Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS) database. That information is queried as directed by the EMRC.  The EMRC works to identify benchmarks, best practices, trend identification and research opportunities for the Florida EMS Community. Appropriate information is provided to the Quality Assurance program identified by individual EMS provider agencies for review and comment. In addition, the EMRC provides support to the Florida EMS Advisory Committee and other strategic planning oversight teams to develop and identify goals that will be incorporated into a comprehensive statewide plan. The goals of the committee are to assure a positive impact on the care of victims with injury or illness, and to encourage the usage of modern quality management practices in EMS. The committee accomplishes these goals through peer networking, education, leadership, and consensus building. The committee's philosophy is to provide guidance and promote feedback in a manner that is conductive to learning and system improvement.

Membership

Currently, twelve subject matter experts from around the state makeup the membership of the EMRC. Each member represents a different component or service type of the EMS environment. Members are appointed and removed by the State Surgeon. Each non ex-officio member of the EMRC will serve a term of no more than 4 years. All Members of the EMRC will be voting members. The current membership includes:

Meetings

The EMRC will meet at least quarterly. The meeting times and locations will be at the discretion of the Committee Chair. Meetings of the EMRC are exempt from the Public Records laws and Sunshine Laws as provided in Chapter 401.425, Florida Statutes. However, public participation in proceedings where there is no review of Prehospital data is encouraged.

Upcoming Meetings:

        Date/Time            Location

• None at this time.

Helpful Links

• Florida Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS) Program
  www.FloridaEMSTARS.com



• National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS)
  www.nemsis.org



• The National Emergency Medical Services for Children Data Analysis Research Center (NEDARC)
  www.nedarc.org



• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Emergency Medical Services
  www.ems.gov



• National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO)
  www.nasemsd.org

Reports

• 2011 Licensure and Call Volume Report
• 2010 Licensure and Call Volume Report

Publications

• None at this time.