Mission Statement:

The Southeastern Minnesota Emergency Medical Services provides programs and services to emergency care providers within the eleven counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, WabashA, and Winona.

The pre-hospital EMS system within this region is comprised of 44 ambulance services, (27 volunteer BLS), 5 Part-time ALS services and 9 full-time ALS Ambulance Services. Also included in the SE region is 2 rotor-wing air services and 1 fixed wing air ambulance and 75 First Responder Squads. The overall goal of the Regional EMS Program is to improve the quality of patient care by strengthening the various components of the EMS system through education and support services.

When a problem is identified that could affect the accessibility and quality of patient care, the Regional EMS program develops a program that addresses that need. The Medical Direction Consortium is one of the programs that was developed to address the common problem of not having a sufficient number of physician medical directors for pre-hospital services.

Services Provided thROUGH the Se mn ems
​MEDICAL DIRECTION consortium

The Medical Direction Consortium provides services as outlined in Minnesota Ambulance Statutes (4690.0100) and as deemed appropriate and beneficial by the consortium faculty and member services.

The Medical Direction Consortium provides the following services:

  • Five educational sessions per year including any restricted procedure for which a variance has been granted (ambulance) or is recognized as advanced level care (first responder). These educational sessions will be in the local community during their regular meeting times
  • Written triage, treatment and transport guidelines which establish a standard of patient care
  • Ongoing run review process according to guidelines on how "immediate” and “routine” reports shall be handled
  • Consultation on expanding or upgrading the level of patient care. Assists services in preparing the application for any variance request (ambulance)
  • Assistance in the development and implementation of an internal quality assurance plan that includes an evaluation of level of training/care and the development of patient care goals.
  • Consultation on the purchase of new equipment
  • Assist services in complying with all State and Federal regulations pertaining to the operation of their service.
  • Provide additional support services relating to the CISM program, personnel issues, patient care issues and Speakers Bureau for additional education
The SE Minnesota Region is also a MINNESOTA OFFICE OF EMS recognized training program for EMERGENCY MEDICAL Responder Certification, EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER Refresher, and EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN Recertification. We are an American Heart Association training SITE that offers a variety of Healthcare Provider Basis Life Support, heartsaver,  and first aid/aed classes. These courses are available for an additional fee.

Roles and responsibilities:

One of the strengths of the Medical Direction Consortium is that all physicians and instructors are following the same guidelines and training modules. Should a situation arise when the assigned physician or instructor is not available, another faculty member could address the issue or provide the education module.

The following is a summary of the role & responsibilities for each component of the program.

    Physicians
  • Available for consultation with Regional EMS office staff, instructors, other physicians, and services
  • Attend a minimum of one meeting per year for each assigned service and be available for consultation as needed
  • Review immediate type run reports as outlined in the Run Report Procedure and provide timely feedback to the service
  • Attend an annual planning meeting (either in-person, via teams, or e-mail) to review guidelines, training modules, and address program issues

    Instructors
  • Maintain current level of state certification or licensure as a Registered Nurse, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, or emergency medical responder
  • Attend 5 meetings per year for each assigned service. During these meetings, instructors will:
    1. Present the education modules using slides, review, skills assessments, & scenario based training
    2. Review run reports with service to provide feedback on patient care that was rendered to ensure that it follows the guidelines
    3. Review Consortium Guidelines via handtevy, pdf, or printed copies for accuracy and correct edition
    4. Review Defibrillator Maintenance Record to ENSURE members are routinely checking equipment. Review medications, glucometer strips & control to ensure that they are within the expiration dates
    5. Complete the required report form and submit them to the Regional EMS office within 96 hours of meeting
  • Follow up with the Regional EMS office staff and Medical Director on any patient care issues which needs to be addressed
  • Attend guideline update sessions and annual instructor meeting when offered by the Regional EMS office and Medical Directors
  • Instructor is responsible for finding another consortium instructor if they are unable to attend an assigned class
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    Regional EMS Office Staff
  • Provide clerical support to Consortium including:
    1. Maintaining a file on each service, instructor, and physician including training records and copy of all correspondence
    2. Coordinating education for services including development of annual training calendar, assembling course materials & equipment, sending reminder notices of upcoming sessions, and recording information once class is completed and maintaining current education standards
    3. Preparing all reports (quarterly activity reports), correspondence, and licensure and variance applications
    4. Updating the Guidelines and Training Modules
  • Contacting a physician for immediate run review for a situation which requires the Medical Director’s attention.
  • Assist services in compliance with all state and federal regulations which pertain to patient care.
  • Serving as a focal point for all inquires regarding the Consortium from services, physician, instructors, and other interested parties.
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    Member Services
  • Follow the adopted guidelines and standards approved by the Consortium Physicians
  • Should a correction order be written by a physician, service agrees to implement change within the specified time
  • ENSURE all personnel attend the medical direction consortium trainings to fulfill their recertification hour requirements; max participation is expected
  • Plan educational sessions on alternate months of consortium training and maintain current certifications on all providers
  • Keep the Regional EMS office advised of any inquiries, or situations, pertaining to the operation of the service and/or patient care that may arise
  • Follow the Run Report Procedure, as outlined
  • Submit to the SE Regional EMS office training information from classes conducted outside of the Consortium (optional).
  • Ensure all new members are trained an proficient as an entry level ems provider