Year: 2024

Dear EMS Service Directors,
In 2021, TASA completed their initial Statewide EMS Staffing Survey that assessed the current state of staffing across the state of Tennessee. We all remember that this was during the COVID-19 Pandemic which stretched our systems in unprecedented ways. Since that survey, legislation passed that allows EMS services to utilize the EMS-A (EMS Apprentice) aka Ambulance Operator position and the number of EMS services allowed to have their own service EMT/AEMT programs increased from 15 to 30.

This year we are sending out a follow up survey and TASA is requesting each EMS service to complete the 2024 Statewide EMS Staffing Survey. This follow up survey will allow comparative data to assess current state of staffing across the state of Tennessee. Once the survey information has been compiled and reviewed, TASA will share the results with you. The survey will be open until December 2, 2024.

The Survey Title: 2024 Statewide Tennessee EMS Staffing Survey Data
Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/r/ZFrxWLZMCC

The survey is quick, and questions are the same as the 2021 survey with one additional question regarding the EMS-A (Ambulance Operator) position.

Thank you in advance for your participation and look forward to seeing the results. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Lis Henley
TASA Secretary
615-335-9618
www.tennesseeambulance.com

Recently a question was asked by a rural county service.

Question: Can we receive TennCare reimbursement for TN-T2 if we use our local ER physician as the Qualified Healthcare Partner  (QHP) – even if the QHP chooses not to charge for the consultation?

Answer: We have reviewed this question with TennCare officials and their answer is YES:

• The EMS will still be reimbursed for their assessment and not for mileage as described under Scenario 2, regardless of if the QHP ‘treats’ the member or not or regardless of if the QHP bills for their service or not, as long as the EMS provider bills using the “W” modifier to indicate the use of telehealth and engaging a QHP (ED Physician) and;
• the ED Physician/QHP is assessing the member and advising as whether to complete  Treatment-In-Place (TIP), Transport to Alternate Destination (TAD), or transport the member to the ED
• the ED Physician/QHP should sign off on the ambulance ePCR in cases of TIP or TAD

Download the complete TN-T2 Guidance and FAQ’s

Snapshot of Scenario #2 

Service Providers,
This is just a reminder of the Pre-response Teleconference on Monday, October 21st at 10:00 am Central Time for Request for Application (RFA) #34307-32725 Essential Equipment Purchases for Licensed Ambulance Services in Tennessee. Please see the attached presentation that will be discussed. The information for the call is as follows:

Presentation PDF: click here to download/view

Meeting Name: RFA #34307-32725 Teleconference

Meeting number (access code): 2305 645-9670

Meeting password: 4BHmafiJM62

Meeting Link: https://tn.webex.com/tn/j.php?MTID=m48db5fed32c83e6eb8d33c8834da67bf

Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US TOLL

I hope that you can be in attendance.

Thank you so much for your interest in doing business with the State of Tennessee.

Melissa Painter | Competitive Procurement Director
Procurement Management Office
Division of Administrative Services
Andrew Johnson Tower, 5th Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
p. 615-741-0285
c. 615-961-2482
Melissa.Painter@tn.gov

https://forms.office.com/r/9vtWSe4yFL

Application Process

While this fund supports response, relief, and recovery efforts in East Tennessee, our focus is on long-term recovery as this is historically the least funded strategy after a disaster. Specifically, we are focusing on the following counties impacted by Hurricane Helene: Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington.

Please note the Foundation does not provide grants directly to individuals. Eligible organizations include 501c3 public charities, units of government, public educational institutions, and houses of worship.

We want to hear from you and what your organization’s needs are. Please send us an email at grantmaking@etf.org with the following information:

1. A brief overview of your organization’s mission and programs.
2. List the counties in East Tennessee supported by your efforts. Please note that funds from Neighbor to Neighbor are to exclusively support counties most affected by the flooding in our 25-county service area.
3. A brief summary of the community needs/specific request for which your organization is seeking funding support and how the funds will be used.
4. Your organization’s primary contact person (executive director, board chair, etc.) and their email address and phone number.

Note: Only the first responder agency can apply for funding. If an individual first responder is in need of funding, the first responder agency can apply and the  local Neighbor to Neighbor non-profit can award the funding on behalf of the individual first responder if needed.

Please note our guidelines and process may evolve as we learn more about changing needs and priorities in the community. We will provide additional information as we learn more.

A member of the Foundation’s Grantmaking Team will respond with receipt of your email. We will be in touch with your organization if we have any follow-up questions. Please know we are receiving a high volume of requests and are working through each one, and we will get back to you as soon as we can with an update on your request.

The American Ambulance Association and TASA has coordinated with the East TN Foundation to provide an opportunity to donate directly to first responders and first responder organizations in East TN that have been affected by Hurricane Helene.

• Go to the East Tennessee Foundation Neighbor-to-Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund
• Click the “Give Now”button
  • 
• On the “Donate to a Fund” page, use the search bar to identify your preferred “Neighbor to Neighbor” county charity (i.e. Cocke County Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund)
  • 
• In the “Donate” form:
  • enter the donation amount
  • select the “Donation in Memory or Honor” option and “In Honor Of” option
  • In the “Person being remembered/honored”, enter the affected first responder or organization’s name. Note: Only the first responder agency can apply for funding. If an individual first responder is in need of funding, the first responder agency can apply and the  local Neighbor to Neighbor non-profit can award the funding on behalf of the individual first responder if needed.
  • In the “Whom to Notify”, enter the email or mailing address of the first responder or organization
    • 

October 4, 2024

Due to flooding from Hurricane Helene, Baxter International, which supplies about 60% of IV fluids in the US, experienced significant disruption to its facility in Marion, North Carolina. While re-opening the facility is a priority, there is no known timeline for this to occur. The impact on the availability of IV Fluid appears substantial and may result in challenges for resupply.

For now, product is available on the market, but allocations have been put in place to prevent hoarding and inappropriate distribution. Please work with and through your normal processes to obtain fluids.

Clinically, follow your protocols and only utilize IV fluids when the patient’s condition indicates a need for a fluid bolus. Otherwise, use capped IVs (Fluid Locks) for medication administration and flushes.

If you have any questions, please address them to the State of Tennessee Office of EMS.

Joe Holley, MD FACEP FAEMS
Medical Director
State of Tennessee Office of EMS

The SFY25 Q1 assessment invoices have been mailed to EMS services by TennCare.  Payments are due by October 30, 2024 to avoid the $50/day penalty.