(Updated 3/12/18)
Across the state of Colorado, health care leaders are finding innovative ways to meet the needs of their community. As these innovations evolve, it is important that the regulatory framework simultaneously evolves to ensure patient safety and appropriate oversight. One area of exciting innovation is in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Center for Health Progress has been working to support a conversation to achieve a policy framework that will support existing and newly developed EMS innovations programs, while at the same time allowing programmatic flexibility to meet the unique needs of the community they serve.
As Center for Health Progress met with representatives of existing programs around the state, we discovered that there was confusion and disagreement on what existing policies allowed EMS to do outside of responding to emergency situations. To provide clarity on what existing policies allow for us as well as to help guide the conversation on needed changes, if any, we have outlined some relevant pieces from our research in statutes and regulation for EMS and home health care.
Policy Memo - EMS Innovations