![[photo, John M. Murphy Building, 653 West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/images/1198-1-667.jpg)
The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems is governed by the State Emergency Medical Services Board. Created by the General Assembly 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 Council's thirty-one members are appointed by the State Emergency Medical Services Board with the Governor's approval. Annually, Council members elect a chair with the Governor's approval (Code Education Article, sec. 13-511).
For emergency medical systems, the Institute is a coordinated statewide network that includes volunteer and career emergency medical services clinicians, medical and nursing personnel, communications, transportation systems, trauma and specialty care centers and emergency departments.
Besides, operating and maintaining a statewide communications system, the Institute provides leadership and direction for emergency medical services, conducts and supports educational programs, licenses and regulates commercial ambulance services, and designates trauma and specialty-care centers, and emergency departments. In addition, it 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.
OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The designation and evaluation of hospitals providing pre-hospital emergency care within the statewide emergency medical services system is overseen by the Care Integration Office. Based on capacity and resources, the office verifies that hospitals are equipped to serve as trauma or specialty referral centers, and monitors their performance.
Within the State emergency system are 48 hospital emergency departments; 9 adult and 2 pediatric trauma centers; and 32 hospitals delivering specialized care. They treat victims of burns, eye trauma, hand injuries, head and spinal cord injuries, strokes, perinatal and neonatal emergencies, and poisonings.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
The unit develops guidelines and resources for pediatric care, pediatric emergency care, and facility regulation. For caregivers providing services to children in or out of the hospital, the office coordinates education and training. Emergency Medical Services for Children also works with other State and local agencies and organizations to improve child health and prevent illness and injuries.
COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING
This unit 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.
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES CLINICIAN SERVICES
Licenses and certifications for Emergency Medical Services Clinicians in Maryland are processed and issued by the Office. For Maryland Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Office also oversees and processes applications for Education Programs, reviews curricula, and reviews and approves continuing education courses.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & OPERATIONS DIVISION
This division 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.
With the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, the Institute also labors to prepare the health and medical system response to possible terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction in Maryland. The response plan coordinates the activities of hospitals, public health agencies, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire and rescue in the event of such an attack.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESOURCE CENTER (EMRC)
Systems 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.
To monitor the operation of the Emergency Medical Services System in each region, Regional Coordination maintains five regional offices throughout the State. During large-scale events, Regional Coordination helps local responders coordinate health and medical resources.
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The work of this agency is overseen by the Executive Director. 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).
CARE INTEGRATION OFFICE
The Care Integration Office originated as Hospital Programs. In 2007, it merged with Special Programs to form Health Facilities and Special Programs. In 2009, it reorganized as Trauma and Specialty Care Programs, and became Health Facilities and Special Programs in 2011. It later became known as the Care Integration Office.
Emergency Medical Services for Children began as Pediatric Services and later reformed under its current name.
COMMERCIAL AMBULANCE LICENSING & REGULATION
Organized in 1993, Commercial Ambulance Licensing and Regulation develops and oversees requirements for commercial ambulance services and vehicles. The office licenses companies to provide levels of care, inspects emergency transport vehicles, and monitors quality assurance reviews and transport safety. It also assists with respiratory protection measures, health immunizations, and training practices.
Communications Engineering began as Communications and later reformed under its current name.
The Office of Emergency Medical Services Clinician Services began as Licensing and Medical Programs in 2004. It reformed as Licensing and Compliance in 2007, and as Licensure and Certification in 2011. It adopted its current name in November 2021.
The Emergency Preparedness and Operations Division was established in 2004 as Emergency Operations. In 2007, it merged with Regional Programs to form Emergency Operations and Regional Programs. In 2009, it reformed as Field Operations and Regional Programs, and in 2017 returned to its original name of Emergency Operations. It later became the Emergency Preparedness and Operations Division.
& 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.
REGIONAL PROGRAMS
Regional Programs began as Regional Operations and was renamed Regional Programs in 2002. In 2007, it merged with Emergency Operations to form Emergency Operations and Regional Programs. In 2017, it became Field Operations and Regional Programs. Later in 2017, when Emergency Operations separated from Field Operations and Regional Programs, it assumed the name of Regional Programs. It later became known as Regional Coordination.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
Information Technology and Systems Management started as Information Technology, reorganized as Information Management in 2004, and resumed its original name in 2007. It reformed as Information Technology and Communications in 2009. It later became Information Technology and Systems Management.
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