Hudson introduces emergency services bill

This week, U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8, introduced a bill intended to improve the quality of emergency services.

Called the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act, the bill would clarify existing law to allow emergency medical responders to administer controlled substances under the supervision of a physician. Examples include: pain narcotics and anti-seizure medications.

“Without this solution, we risk sacrificing quality emergency care and endangering patients simply because law and regulation have not kept up with the evolution of modern medicine,” Hudson said. “This legislation is an important clarification of law that allows our first responders to continue administering life-saving medications to patients when they need them most.”

A news release from Hudson’s office says the bill would clarify the current practice of physician Medical Directors overseeing care provided by paramedics and other emergency medical service practitioners via “standing orders” is statutorily allowed and protected.

It would ensure patients could continue receiving medications by codifying the practice of standing orders by a physician Medical Director for the administration and delivery of controlled substances, maintaining physician oversight of medical decisions, while making the EMS Agency liable for the receiving, storing, and tracking of controlled substances, similar to current procedure at hospitals.