Emergency Medical Services Commission public meetings in 2023
6 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Emergency Medical Services Commission
The Louisiana EMS Certification Commission will meet to conduct formal disciplinary hearings, including one for Melissa Armstrong, and ratify disciplinary decisions for a list of EMS practitioners. The commission will also discuss clarifying EMT scope of practice outside of EMS and review substance abuse/PTSD treatment programs.
- Formal disciplinary hearing for Melissa Armstrong
- Ratification of disciplinary decisions for 50+ named EMS practitioners
- Discussion of EMT scope of practice outside of EMS
- Review of substance abuse/PTSD treatment programs
The Commission approved the minutes from October 20, 2023, and ratified a large list of practitioner disciplinary determinations. One formal disciplinary hearing resulted in probation, a $50 fine, and mandatory substance abuse treatment for Melissa Armstrong. The Commission also directed staff to draft a clarification regarding EMT practice outside of EMS.
- Approved October 20, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Ordered Melissa Armstrong to undergo substance abuse assessment, follow treatment through 3/31/2027, and pay a $50 fine (7-0-1)
- Ratified disciplinary determinations for 62 listed EMS practitioners (Unanimous)
- Approved drafting a response to clarify EMT practice outside of EMS (Unanimous)
- Added crash data form from ambulance standards to future new business (Unanimous)
Emergency Medical Services Commission
The Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission is meeting to conduct formal disciplinary hearings and ratify decisions regarding numerous EMS practitioners. The body will also discuss EMT practice clarifications and 2024 meeting dates.
- Formal disciplinary hearings for Mathew Smyer and Amanda Scruggs
- Ratification of disciplinary decisions for a list of practitioners including Michael Alack, Joseph Anderson, and others
- Discussion on EMT Practice Outside of EMS Clarification
- Review of Substance Abuse/PTSD Treatment Programs
- Establishment of 2024 meeting dates from February 16 to December 6
Emergency Medical Services Commission
The meeting scheduled for August 18, 2023, was cancelled. This occurred because a quorum of Commission members was unavailable.
Emergency Medical Services Commission
The Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission is meeting to ratify disciplinary decisions for a list of practitioners. The body will also discuss the scope of practice regarding paramedic oversight, thoracostomies, and medical marijuana licensing.
- Ratification of disciplinary decisions for practitioners including Shawn Sasser, Shelby Cheathem, and others
- Discussion on Paramedic Oversight for Advanced Practice Providers
- Discussion on Thoracostomies by Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians
- Review of Licensing and Medical Marijuana
- Discussion on Substance Abuse/PTSD Treatment Program benefits for EMS personnel
The Commission ratified disciplinary determinations for 44 EMS practitioners and approved the use of LSBN application questions with amendments. It also established that no licensure action will be taken regarding physician-prescribed medical marijuana unless impairment or public safety risks are present. Additionally, the board authorized studies on AEMT needle thoracostomies.
- Approved April 21, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Ratified disciplinary decisions for 44 named EMS practitioners (Unanimous, 1 abstention)
- Approved motion to write a position statement on Paramedic Oversight for Advanced Practice Providers (Unanimous)
- Authorized EMS agencies to conduct studies to expand scope of practice for AEMT needle thoracostomies (Unanimous, 1 abstention)
- Supported a New Orleans EMS study on AEMTs performing needle thoracostomies during traumatic cardiac arrest (Unanimous, 1 abstention)
- Approved using LSBN application questions with amendments (Unanimous)
- Decided no licensure action will be taken for physician-prescribed medical marijuana unless impairment or public safety danger is present (Unanimous)
- Tabled Substance Abuse/PTSD Treatment Programs and EMS Personnel Benefits
Emergency Medical Services Commission
The Commission is reviewing formal disciplinary proceedings and the ratification of previous practitioner decisions. The agenda also includes discussions regarding scope of practice standards and various administrative updates.
- Formal Disciplinary Proceedings for Jerry Johnson and Paul Macaluso
- Ratification of EMS Practitioner Disciplinary Decisions for multiple individuals
- Scope of Practice discussion: CLIA Waived Testing for EMTs
- Scope of Practice discussion: Primary Care Physician Groups eligibility
- Scope of Practice discussion: Isopropyl Alcohol to treat nausea
The Commission revoked the license of Paul Macaluso and placed Jerry Johnson on probation. It also approved expanding the scope of practice for EMTs and AEMTs to include CLIA waived testing and specific offshore vessel medical duties.
- Elected Otha Henry as Chair
- Placed Jerry Johnson on probation for 1 year and issued a $50.00 fine (Unanimous)
- Issued immediate indefinite license revocation for Paul Macaluso (Unanimous except recusals)
- Ratified disciplinary determinations for 44 practitioners (Unanimous)
- Approved expanding EMT and AEMT scope of practice to utilize CLIA waived tests (Unanimous except one abstention)
- Approved medics on ocean going vessels for limited scope of urgent medical conditions (Unanimous)
- Required Louisiana licensed paramedics for stationary rigs in state waterways (Unanimous)
- Tabled use of isopropyl alcohol for nausea and needle thoracostomies for AEMTs (Unanimous)
Emergency Medical Services Commission
The Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission is meeting to conduct formal disciplinary proceedings for three individuals and ratify decisions for numerous other practitioners. The body will also discuss the scope of practice regarding Nitroglycerin for EMTs.
- Formal disciplinary proceedings for Amanda Young, Janice Willard, and Alyssa Leder
- Ratification of disciplinary decisions for multiple EMS practitioners
- Discussion on Nitroglycerin for EMTs scope of practice
- Work group report on Substance Abuse/PTSD Treatment Programs
- Attorney General presentation on public meetings, administrative hearings, and public records
The Commission issued probationary licenses and fines to three practitioners and ratified disciplinary determinations for 56 additional individuals. It also approved changes to the disciplinary review panel rotation and the deferred decision matrix for mental health disclosures.
- Approved probationary license until March 31, 2026, and $50 fine for Amanda Young
- Approved probationary license until March 31, 2025, and waived $50 fine for Janice Willard
- Approved two probation cycles until March 31, 2028, and $100 fine for Alyssa Leder
- Ratified disciplinary determinations for 56 practitioners (unanimous)
- Decided no changes to the scope of practice regarding Nitroglycerin for EMTs
- Approved allowing Bureau of EMS to decide on mental health disclosures if a physician's letter is provided (unanimous)
- Approved monthly rotation of Chair, Vice-Chair, and one Commissioner for disciplinary review panels (unanimous)
- Approved December 16, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)