Wake Model EMS System

Wake County's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system has been designated among the state's first "Model EMS Systems" by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). Wake EMS officially received its designation Tuesday, May 13, at the quarterly meeting of the North Carolina EMS Advisory Council at N.C. State University's McKimmon Center.

Accepting the award for Wake County were Commissioners' Chairman Herb Council, County Manager David Cooke, Public Safety Director John Rukavina and Wake County EMS Director Barry Britt.

"This award reflects the exemplary job our EMS and rescue squads do each day, providing lifesaving care to our citizens," Council said. "Our EMS system ensures that all citizens, everywhere in Wake County, receive the highest level of emergency medical services."

North Carolina established a two-tier licensing system for county EMS delivery organizations in April 2002. Counties meeting the minimum standards for providing emergency medical services received an "EMS System" designation; counties able to demonstrate an exemplary level of service could pursue "Model EMS System" designation. In November 2002, Wake County EMS became the first in the state to voluntarily pursue the higher Model EMS System standards. The State OEMS informed Wake EMS on February 25 that it had achieved model status.

The Wake County EMS system includes all emergency medical agencies in Wake County—all rescue and EMS departments, hospitals and communication centers. The county medical agencies' ability to function as a single system is a major factor in the Model EMS System designation.

OEMS considered four chief components in evaluating Wake County's application for Model EMS System status:

• Patient care, policies, procedures and protocols – A model system provides a uniform level of care throughout the system and is available 24 hours a day.
• Education – A model system provides a written continuing education plan for EMS personnel, under the direction of the system's continuing education coordinators, developed and modified based on feedback from system data, review and evaluation of patient outcomes and quality management reviews.
• Equipment and Communication – Model systems have a higher standard for equipment and available medications. Wake EMS ambulances are equipped with monitors capable of supporting a full, 12-lead EKG, the same used in hospitals. Communication requirements include a system-wide communication ability to meet the requirements of quality patient care, including an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) program and an operational Enhanced-911 system.
• Medical Oversight – Through continuing education and quality assurance, the medical director must be actively involved in all levels of the system.

Model EMS System status denotes the demonstrated capability of self-governance, which reduces regulatory oversight. Model EMS System designation is awarded for a period of six years, after which time the system may apply to OEMS for model system redesignation.