Announcements
The 2022.1 STP books are now available
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CMEMSC has printed protocol books available. You can purchase your copies now while they are hot off the press.
Updated PPE Guidance for all HCP
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The state issued updated Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance on 01/21/2022.
The most recent COVID-related memorandums from OEMS and MDPH can be found HERE.
Updated isolation guidance for healthcare personnel (12/29)
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MDPH shared updated isolation guidance for healthcare personnel. The updated isolation guidance applies to healthcare settings as defined by the CDC. The updated guidance reduces the amount of time healthcare personnel must isolate due to testing positive for COVID-19 under a set of conditions as described in the updated guidance. Please see the attached document or the below link for details: https://www.mass.gov/doc/isolation-and-quarantine-guidance-for-health-care-personnel/download
Thank you for your continued care of your patients, staff, and communities during this unprecedented time.
Urgent message regarding AED pads
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (Department), has identified several concerning issues in the field regarding defibrillator pad incompatibility, with pads not being used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. This results in the inability to deliver therapy across all age and weight ranges and has particularly been a problem for pediatric use. Please see the attached Memorandum, highlighting the problems. This issue has been noted during ambulance inspections and cited as a deficiency. CLICK HERE
Massachusetts Ambulance Certification Advisory
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Suspending Advisory 20-12-01 and issuing Advisory 21-09-02
In response to the critical delay in delivery of new ambulance vehicles due to the microprocessor shortage that became acute since March 2021, and the increasing need for remounted ambulances in a short timeframe, the Department has at this time suspended Advisory 20-12-01 for 24 months, and in the interim, issues the following, which is in effect as of today in place of Advisory 20-12-01:
12 Lead Competency Clarification
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In response to questions about documentation requirements for 12-lead competency for Paramedics, OEMS has released the Updated Advisory 21-09-01: Ensuring Paramedic Competency in 12-Lead ECG Interpretation. The requirements have not changed. The changes are better clarification of the documentation that is needed regarding training.
Click to read the Updated Advisory 21-09-01: Ensuring Paramedic Competency in 12-Lead ECG Interpretation
General Health Care Guidance 07/02/2021
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The Commonwealth lifted COVID-19 restrictions on May 29, 2021, while maintaining necessary COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures in certain settings, including in health care settings. Health care providers should continue to adhere to all applicable service, program, or sector-specific guidance available on the state COVID-19 guidance website:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-public-health-guidance-and-directives#eohhs-congregate-care-
The general health care provider guidance has been updated since it was first released on June 14, 2021 to clarify the limited situations where staff may not need to wear masks; it may be found on the website and is also attached to this message.
Thank you for your continued support and care of your patients during this unprecedented time.
Reminder: CMEMSC has fit test kits available to Region II services at no cost. If your service could benefit from this, contact the director.
The Department encourages you to review the following resources for additional up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Massachusetts:
Central Massachusetts EMS Corp. Transforms First Responder Communications with FirstNet®
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CMEMSC recently partnered with FirstNet, bringing the latest technology to our team, and ensuring that equipment investments that benefit the Region's EMS Responders are protected. Read more HERE in this joint CMEMSC and FirstNet media release.
First Responder Vaccination Website is Live
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Baker-Polito Administration Outlines Vaccination Plans for First Responders, Provide Vaccine Update First responder departments and organizations can visit www.mass.gov/firstrespondervaccine to learn more
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration outlined plans to vaccinate the Commonwealth’s first responders, the next priority group within Phase One of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The Administration also launched a new interactive COVID-19 daily dashboard to provide a more user-friendly tool for the public to access data on the impact of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. First Responder Vaccinations: Vaccinations for first responders, the third priority group within Phase 1 of the Commonwealth’s vaccine distribution timeline, will begin Monday, January 11. There are over 45,000 first responders across the Commonwealth, a diverse group that includes fire, police and EMTs, who serve state, local and regional entities. The Administration, through the COVID-19 Command Center and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, has worked with first responder organizations and departments about the best ways to vaccinate first responders effectively and safely. Based on these conversations, the Commonwealth today announced three options for first responder vaccinations:
First responder departments and organizations can visit www.mass.gov/firstrespondervaccine to learn more about these options. Vaccine Phase 2 Priority Group Adjustment: The Commonwealth today is updating its Vaccine Distribution plan today. Based on this recommendation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory group, we are updating prioritization so that individuals age 75+ are included in Phase 2, Group 1, along with individuals of all ages with 2+ comorbidities. This follows revised recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) issued on December 22. Following the ACIP change, the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Advisory Group convened December 23 and 30 to discuss any changes to its previous recommendations were warranted. The Group came to consensus on a single change to the current recommendations, taking into particular consideration ACIP’s highlighting of individuals age 75 and older as being at particular risk of serious complications of COVID-19. The revised vaccine distribution timeline will be reflected on www.mass.gov/covidvaccine later today. Interactive COVID-19 Dashboard: The new interactive COVID-19 dashboard contains all the data elements of the current daily dashboard in addition to some of the elements from the weekly dashboard, such as the positivity rate and the testing rate for cities and towns. This interactive feature will allow users to view all the data points from the daily dashboard and several from the weekly dashboard live on the website, with an added ability to customize the data view. For example, users may explore data by focusing on certain data points or a specific period of time. New interactive features offer the ability for users to:
While the new interactive format has been designed to improve the user experience, the many data points currently being reported remain the same, including:
Researchers and others interested in the raw data still have the ability to see and download the raw files from the website, as can be done currently. The Department of Public Health will continue to refine the data available on the new dashboard, with additional enhancements planned in early 2021. The new dashboard, powered by Tableau, will be available on the current webpage at www.mass.gov/covid19. |
