CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Department of Health has implemented new EMS protocols to enhance decision-making for first responders.
Cabinet Secretary Sherri Young said the protocols, effective July 1, were developed by Dr. P.S. Martin, State Medical Director for the Office of Emergency Medical Services, Jamie Weller, Chair of the EMS Advisory Council, and EMS leaders Torie Geis and Shirley Morrison.
“These leaders recognized a need and acted on it. I commend their willingness to work with us to improve the quality of care for West Virginians,” Young said. “This is a perfect example of where collaboration with those on the front lines helped us put a plan into action.”
Jody Ratliff, Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services, explained the protocols address modern-day challenges for first responders.
“The new protocols eliminate a lot of the red tape faced by EMS crews in the past and empower them to think critically on their feet. They also address many of the communication barriers faced by first responders in rural communities with limited telecommunications access,” Ratliff said.
The initiative builds upon Governor Jim Justice’s ‘Answer the Call’ program, which has expanded EMS training and workforce capacity by 75 percent. The introduction of “treat-in-place” protocols on May 1 allows eligible patients to receive care at home, reducing emergency room congestion and freeing ambulances for critical cases.
“These advancements mark a significant stride towards optimizing emergency response in our state,” Young said. “By fostering collaboration with frontline experts, we are enhancing our ability to deliver timely and efficient care when it matters most.”
