The Department of Health (DOH), is considering a legislative proposal to allow emergency medical technicians (EMT) to administer vaccinations and provide health care within their scope of practice in partnership with public health agencies to control and prevent the spread of communicable diseases without the need for an emergency declaration.
We are reaching out to share our draft proposal and request your feedback.
We would be happy to meet with you to discuss the proposal further. A summary of the proposal is included below and a Z-draft of the bill is attached to this message.
Background:
Current law limits the practice of an EMT to only provide health care in an emergency setting such as a 911 call or transporting a patient in the back of an ambulance. EMTs may also participate with emergency services supervisory organizations such as search and rescue teams or diversion centers as defined in RCW 18.73.030, and with Community Assistance Referral and Education Service (CARES) programs as authorized under RCW 35.21.930.
This limits the ability for public health agencies to utilize EMTs during a public health response to reduce or prevent the spread of communicable diseases, such as COVID or influenza. Although EMTs can do these things based on skill and scope of practice, administration of vaccine is considered a non-emergency primary care activity and typically would not occur in an emergency setting such as a 911 call.
In 2020, the department issued a policy statement under the declared state of emergency in order to allow EMTs to assist in the COVID-19 response by assisting public health agencies with activities such as nasal swab testing, administration of vaccine, conducting medical assessment of farmworkers, monitoring people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in isolation and quarantine facilities and other related activities.
In pivoting from response to recovery and institutionalizing practice, we need to be forward thinking about how EMS can continue to be a force multiplier in conducting these activities in continued response to the pandemic and in a more prevention centered approach in partnership with local health jurisdictions to help mitigate the spread of communicable diseases such as seasonal influenza without the requirement for a state or local declaration of emergency.
Summary:
The proposed bill would include two minor amendments.
- The first change would amend the definition of EMT in RCW 18.73.030 to allow EMTs to participate in collaborative care.
- The second change would define collaborative care to mean medical treatment and care provided in collaboration and partnership with local, regional, or state public health agencies to control and prevent the spread of communicable diseases which is rendered separately from emergency medical service.
This proposal supports public health response to communicable diseases by allowing the utilization of EMTs to prevent or address the spread of disease. This will increase access to testing and vaccine. Including to vulnerable populations that may be less mobile, such as rural populations, elderly, homeless, and people experiencing behavioral health disorders. Increased access to testing and vaccine could ultimately reduce the resources needed to support a surge of hospitalizations during an outbreak.
Please let us know your feedback or if you have any questions; you can reach out to Kris Reichl, HSQA Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, at kristin.reichl@doh.wa.gov.