7th Annual Emergency Medical Services and Policy Symposium

Questions: Email [email protected]

The Seventh Annual EMS Law and Policy Symposium at Widener Law Commonwealth is focused on the survival and sustainability of EMS systems throughout the United States. The traditional model of rapid deployment and emergency department transport for virtually all EMS patients is both unsustainable and not reflective of the substantial body of clinical evidence that points to the urgent need for new models, methods and modalities in EMS and mobile healthcare.

Many legal obstacles – both real and perceived – pose barriers to effective and efficient delivery of EMS in the United States. As examples: incorrect assumptions regarding legal duties of care may prevent pre-dispatch dispositions for law acuity 911 calls that would derive no benefit from an EMS response. Outdated and inaccurate notions of patient abandonment may impede treat-in-place, telehealth or other non-transport modalities. Incorrect interpretations of EMTALA cause EMS agencies to expend countless unit hours of service while needlessly waiting to transfer patient care in hospital EDs. Some state regulatory agencies narrowly interpret the scope of practice of EMS clinicians in ways that stifle community paramedicine/mobile integrated healthcare programs. The Seventh Annual EMS Law and Policy Symposium is focused on establishing a valid legal framework for EMS system transformation and “setting the legal table” for EMS innovation.

A Zoom link will be provided to virtual registrants via an email from Eventbrite.

AGENDA

8:00 am Registration and Coffee

8:30 am Welcome and Introduction

andré douglas pond cummings, Dean, Widener Law Commonwealth

Christian Johnson, Professor of Law, Widener Law Commonwealth

8:35 am Keynote Address: The Evidence-Based Case for EMS System Transformation

Matt Zavadsky, MHA, EMS & Mobile Healthcare Consultant, PWW Advisory Group

9:50 am Break

10:00 am Identifying Legal Barriers to EMS System Transformation (1.5 Substantive CLE Credit)

Douglas M. Wolfberg, Esq. ’96, Founding Partner, Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC and Adjunct Professor, Widener Law Commonwealth

11:30 am Buffet Lunch

12:00 pm The “People” Side of Change: Leading the EMS Workforce to a Transformative EMS System (1 Ethics CLE Credit)

Stephen R. Wirth, Esq., Founding Partner, Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC

1:00 Break

1:15 pm State and Federal EMS Legislative Panel (1 Substantive CLE Credit)

Heather Harris, Executive Director, Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania Other legislative representatives to be announced

2:30 pm Closing Thoughts – How to Go Forth and Transform Your EMS System

Matt Zavadsky, MHA, Stephen R. Wirth, Esq. and Douglas M. Wolfberg, Esq.

3:00 pm Conclusion

Dean cummings, Professor Johnson

This program is offered live at Widener Law Commonwealth and will be offered online. Participants are entitled to up to 3.5 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits s noted in the program – subject to approval.

EMS continuing education credits are also available; please let the registration desk know of your interest in receiving these.

Many thanks to the co-sponsors of today’s program

Widener Law Commonwealth Law & Government Institute

Page, Wolfberg & Wirth LLC

Ambulance Association of PA

Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute

For more information on Widener University Commonwealth Law School and its Law & Government Institute, please visit our website:

commonwealthlaw.widener.edu

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