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MARYLAND INSTITUTE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEMS

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS


[photo, John M. Murphy Building, 653 West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland]

STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BOARD

The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems is governed by the State Emergency Medical Services Board. Created in 1993, the Board develops and implements an emergency medical system plan for Maryland. The plan defines criteria for designating trauma facilities; guidelines for emergency medical services; improved communications and transportation; public information and education programs; and a system to evaluate emergency care in Maryland.

John M. Murphy Building, 653 West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, February 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


The Board consists of eleven members. Nine are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor. Two serve ex officio. The Governor names the chair (Code Education Article, sec. 13-505).

The Statewide Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council assists the Board.


MARYLAND INSTITUTE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEMS

The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) is the State administrative agency that oversees and coordinates the statewide emergency medical system in Maryland, including planning, operations, evaluation, and research. Formerly under the University of Maryland at Baltimore, the Institute became an independent agency in 1993 (Chapter 592, Acts of 1993).

The Institute provides leadership and direction for emergency medical systems, conducts and supports educational programs, and operates and maintains a statewide communications system. It licenses and regulates commercial ambulance services, and designates trauma and specialty-care centers. In addition, the Institute assists the State Emergency Medical Services Board to review budgets of agencies receiving funds from its operations fund; develop and promulgate regulations and protocols; and license, certify, and discipline emergency medical services providers.

With the Governor's approval, the Executive Director is appointed by the State Emergency Medical Services Board (Code Education Article, secs. 13-501 through 13-515). The Institute reports to the State Emergency Medical Services Board.


FIELD OPERATIONS

Field Operations is responsible for Communications; the Emergency Medical Resource Center and Systems Communications; and Emergency Operations.

COMMUNICATIONS
Communications oversees the operation and expansion of the State's centralized emergency medical communications system. It provides equipment and support to understaffed and rural jurisdictions to speed responsiveness, improve treatment before reaching a hospital, and direct patients to facilities with treatment programs appropriate to the injury.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESOURCE CENTER (EMRC)
& SYSTEMS COMMUNICATIONS (SYSCOM)

The Emergency Medical Resource Center coordinates medical consultation between emergency personnel at the scene and hospital physicians. In case of multiple victims, the Center enables the prehospital provider to contact more than one receiving hospital at one time.

System Communications provides helicopter dispatch and monitoring. In conjunction with the Department of State Police, it coordinates the transport of critically ill or injured patients by helicopter to area hospitals. It facilitates communication by Med-Evac paramedics with receiving hospitals.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
Established in 2004, Emergency Operations coordinates the disaster preparedness and emergency management responsibilities of the Institute. It works with other governmental units on homeland security, bioterrorism, public health, and emergency response planning.

Under Emergency Operations is the Weapons of Mass Distruction, Health and Medical Program.


INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Information Management originated as Information Technology, and reorganized under its present name in 2004.

Under Information Management are four units: Data Management; Information Technology; Public Information and Media Services; and Quality Improvement.

LICENSING & MEDICAL PROGRAMS

Licensing and Medical Programs organized in 2004. This office oversees six programs: Commercial Ambulance Licensing and Regulation; Emergency Medical Services for Children; Hospital Programs; Licensure and Certification; Perinatal Program; and Special Programs.

REGIONAL PROGRAMS

Regional Programs coordinates emergency medical services in five regions of the State.

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