QMC EMS | Board & Collar

Excuse My Medic Pod Magazine (July 23, 2019)

Welcome to this episode of Excuse My Medic (EM2).  EM2 is a pod magazine for EMS Professionals which brings you headline stories, interesting news and even a few light-hearted moments with Chuck and Gar.  This month's spotlight is on Surprise Billing and how this key issue being explored by our nation's lawmakers can affect your organization.  Also in this edition, positive news, the EMS Word of the Day and a couple of good ole EMS war stories to help you through the 4-12 shift.  
 
 Your Hosts:  Chuck Humphrey and Gary Harvat
 
     

Who's Driving the Bus?

Is your organization's front office overpowering operations or is the operations side running wild over the office.  Who's in charge, who has final say and who created this antonym of the wonderful word called "partnership?"  Yeow, can't we find some harmony here?  Let's discuss the internal partnership (or lack thereof) that exists in some EMS organizations and ascertain "who is driving the bus. "Watch your step, have a seat and hold on in this edition of The QMC Board & Collar.
Written by:  C. HumphreyPresented by:  G. Harvat
 
    

A Little Ditty on Data...That is, CMS Cost Data Collection

Seems that the EMS buzzwords of late is Cost Data Collection and the Federal requirements concerning this subject.  No question, it is coming to your organizational backyard but there still remains work to be done and time parameters that have yet to be fully established.  This is not to say, sit back and wait.  Moreover, you should be preparing now and at a minimum, understand what this means to your organization moving forward when fully implemented.  This edition of The QMC Board & Collar provides an overview to hopefully, provide some clarity.  
Written by:  C. HumphreyP
resented by:  G. Harvat
 
    

Bob Dylan 1964: The Times They Are A-Changin' - EMS 2019: The Times Are Still A-Changin'

A shrinking pool of EMS providers, a changing patient population and flat funding are all contributory factors causing stressors for EMS across the United States.  In this episode of The QMC Board & Collar, we look at the big picture of change across America from those in our ambulance as patients as well as those who care for them at their side.  To state the prophetic words of Bob Dylan, "The Times They Are A-Changin'."  
Written by:  C. HumphreyPresented by:  G. Harvat
    

It's In Every Corner of Your Community - Illegal Drugs and the Impact on EMS

Keeping your EMS organization functional is not an easy task on even the best of days.  Declining revenue, employee retention and managing the opiate problem across our nation is all-consuming for EMS providers.  We explore this matter further in this edition of the QMC Board & Collar.  
Written by:  C. HumphreyPresented by:  G. Harvat
    

More Bells and Whistles: Let's Change ePCR Programs

We receive regular questions from EMS organizations about moving from one ePCR software to another.  This edition of The QMC Board & Collar explores this topic and discusses the positives and the negatives that you should be cautious of when considering a change.  More bells and whistles doesn't always dictate to a better program that is more functional for your staff.
Written by:  C. HumphreyPresented by:  G. Harvat
    

Question, Question, Who's Got the (right) Question?

Making sure you ask your patient the right questions will get you the best responses to document and properly describe your patient.  This helpful edition of The QMC Board & Collar provides key insight into obtaining questions that properly draws the picture of your patient.
Written by:  C. HumphreyPresented by:  G. Harvat
    

Destination Unknown: The Ongoing Saga of Closest Appropriate Facility

This edition of The QMC Board & Collar explores the ongoing saga of the Closest Appropriate Facility and how payers including Medicare and Medicaid view this matter.  It is complicated at times and has variables which you should be aware of when completing your patient care report (PCR).  Hopefully, this B&C presentation will bring some clarity to this subject.  
Written by:  C. HumphreyPresented by:  G. Harvat