Emergency Medical Services Commission public meetings in 2020

Emergency Medical Services Commission

The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission will conduct formal disciplinary proceedings for 11 named individuals. The body will also discuss scope of practice updates regarding Narcan and antibiotics, as well as the REPLICA interstate licensure compact.

• Formal disciplinary proceedings for 11 individuals
• Discussion on EMR Level use of Narcan
• Discussion on AEMT’s transporting antibiotics
• Senate Bill 13/Act No 31: Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA)
• Review of public record requests for EMS practitioner data

The Commission decided on the licensure and disciplinary status of several EMS practitioners, including granting licenses and issuing probations. It also approved a transition path for drivers to become EMTs and updated scope of practice guidelines for Narcan and antibiotics.

• Approved October 16, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Allowed Virginia Davis, Darryl Fiorella, and Jared Knight to license without disciplinary action
• Placed David Desadier, Grant Smith, and Jack Spinney on probation for 1 cycle with $50 fines and alcohol treatment requirements
• Required Thomas Curtis and Jacob McCord to appear before the Commission before licensure
• Approved EMR level use of Narcan
• Authorized AEMTs to transport patients with antibiotic infusions
• Approved a one-year glide path for drivers under emergency proclamation to complete EMR training
• Created a workgroup consisting of Chris Mixon, Barbara Sellers, and Jeff Watson to review substance abuse treatment programs

Emergency Medical Services Commission

The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission will conduct formal disciplinary proceedings for 11 individuals. The body will also discuss the scope of practice regarding Narcan use by EMRs, vaccine administration during disasters, and medications for AEMTs.

• Formal disciplinary proceedings for Nicolas Achee, Patrick Benfield, Brian Warren, Thomas Curtis, Dominique Fruge, Kayla Livingston, Richard Pyke, Cody Rachal, Daniel Salazar, Joshua Smith, and Kayla Quincy
• Discussion on EMR level use of Narcan
• Discussion on administering prescribed vaccines in health emergencies or declared disasters
• Review of medications AEMTs can administer
• Review of the Application Questionnaire

The Commission ruled on several practitioner licenses, including granting unrestricted licenses to Patrick Benfield, Brian Warren, Cody Rachal, and Kayla Quincy. The body also updated the scope of practice regarding vaccine administration for EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics. Other items, including the application questionnaire, were tabled.

• Approved unrestricted licenses for Patrick Benfield, Brian Warren, Cody Rachal, and Kayla Quincy (unanimous)
• Placed Kayla Livingston on probation until February 28, 2023, with a $50 fine and required treatment program (unanimous)
• Placed Richard Pyke on probation until end of cycle with a $50 fine (unanimous)
• Maintained suspension for Nicolas Achee and Dominique Fruge until they contact the Bureau of EMS (unanimous)
• Approved changes to the statement on administering prescribed vaccines for EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic (unanimous)
• Tabled the Application Questionnaire until the next meeting
• Determined NCIC background checks should be required for all licenses
• Approved August 21, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Emergency Medical Services Commission

The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission will conduct formal disciplinary proceedings for six individuals. The body will also discuss expanding the EMT scope of practice to include rapid antibody testing and nasal swabs under physician orders.

• Formal disciplinary proceedings for Heather Bellanger, Marcus Fontenot, Trevor Guillot, Jimmy Jordan, Donna Ulloa, and Athan Jamello
• Proposal for EMTs to perform rapid antibody testing (finger stick)
• Proposal for EMTs to perform nasal swabs under physician's orders
• Review of physical/mental limitations and substance abuse disclosure process
• Establishment of 2021 regular meeting dates

The Commission took disciplinary action against several practitioners, including a five-year license prohibition and a license suspension. The body also approved a Diversity and Inclusion Statement and authorized EMS practitioners to perform certain medical tests with proper training.

• Prohibited Heather Bellanger from possessing a license for 5 years and issued a $100 fine (unanimous)
• Suspended Trevor Guillot's license through March 31, 2021, with probation from 4/1/2021-3/31/23 (unanimous)
• Approved Diversity and Inclusion Statement for website posting (unanimous)
• Approved allowing licensed Louisiana EMS Practitioners to perform fingerstick testing with medical director training (carried with opposition)
• Approved allowing licensed EMS Professionals to perform nasopharyngeal swab testing with medical director training
• Approved creating an EMSCC agency with the Commission Chair as Program Administrator (unanimous)
• Approved June 26, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Set 2021 regular meeting dates for February 26, April 16, June 18, August 20, October 15, and December 3

Emergency Medical Services Commission

The provided document is a certification allowing members of the EMS Certification Commission to participate in the June 26, 2020, meeting via teleconference or videoconference. This action was taken pursuant to Governor's Proclamation 75 JBE 2020 to ensure a quorum.

The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission approved updates to paramedic standing orders and established a new subcommittee for impaired practitioners. The Commission also addressed several disciplinary proceedings, including the acceptance of a voluntary surrender and the denial of a student license application.

• Approved February 7, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Took no action on disciplinary proceedings for Brandi Leonard
• Denied Douglas Bellmore student license application with reconsideration in 2 years
• Accepted voluntary surrender of Luis Suarez (motion carried)
• Accepted updated disciplinary fines with a $50.00 per cycle change effective August 1, 2020
• Approved adding 'Expanded medications by physician’s direction' to Paramedic SOP
• Created subcommittee for impaired practitioners with Chris Mixon as chair
• Approved certificate of commendation for Stacy Barbay

Emergency Medical Services Commission

The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission meeting scheduled for April 27, 2020 has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 26, 2020.

• Meeting cancelled

Emergency Medical Services Commission

The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission will conduct formal disciplinary proceedings for seven named individuals. The body will also discuss the scope of practice for EMS professionals and a policy for imposing fines.

• Formal disciplinary proceedings for Michael Castello, Spencer Armand, Daniel Carr, Joseph Reasonover, Jacob Shaw, Cardarius Davis, and Rodney Woods
• Discussion on Scope of Practice of EMS Professionals
• Review of Policy for Imposing Fines
• Discussion of Application Questionnaire
• Review of Danny’s Dose

The Commission approved changes to the scope of practice matrix regarding medication administration and implemented a new policy for imposing fines starting July 1, 2020. The board also ruled on several disciplinary cases, including one permanent revocation of instructor privileges and multiple unrestricted license approvals.

• Approved amendment to scope of practice matrix for medication administration
• Permanently revoked Michael Castello's instructor privileges and suspended Paramedic license
• Approved unrestricted licenses for Danny Carr, Jacob Shaw, Spencer Armand, Rodney Woods, and Cardarius Davis
• Granted student status to Joseph Reasonover with probation for one cycle (5-3)
• Issued summary suspensions for Fain and Achee
• Revoked student status for Amor
• Approved implementation of fines effective July 1, 2020
• Approved December 13, 2019 meeting minutes