BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Northeast Colorado Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council - ECPv6.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ncretac.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Northeast Colorado Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Denver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20260308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20261101T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20270314T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20271107T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260623T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260623T105000 DTSTAMP:20260702T213350Z CREATED:20260328T033433Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260702T213350Z UID:10000622-1782208800-1782211800@ncretac.org SUMMARY:Helicopter EMS Utilization & Performance Task Force DESCRIPTION:NCRETAC β€” Clinical & Professional Standards Committee\nHEMS Utilization & Performance Task Force\n\nπŸ“…Β  Tuesday\, June 23\, 2026\nπŸ•Β  10:00 – 11:00 AM Mountain\nπŸ’»Β  Virtual Only β€” Microsoft Teams\n \n \n \n\n \n πŸ“Β  HEMS Task Force Meeting Materials (SharePoint)\n \n \n \n\n\nRemote Access & Attendance\n\n\n\n\nJoin Teams Remotely\n \n \n \nScan to join from your phone or tablet.\n\n ID: 261 400 650 398 67\n Passcode: vq6AX3tt\n Dial-in: +1 323-694-0365\n Conf ID: 885 963 451#\n \n \n\n\n\nSign In for Attendance\n \n \n \nScan to record your attendance.\n Open Attendance Form β†—\n \n\n\n\n \n\n \n\nOpening\n\nβ–Ά Call to Order β€” Jennifer Landis\, BSN\, RN\, TCRN\, EMT-P (ret.)\, Task Force Chair\nβ–Ά Roll Call & Introductions\nβ–Ά Public Comment\n \n \n \n\nSection I\nStanding Reports\n \n\n\n\nExecutive Director Report\nNick Nudell\, PhD(c)\, MS\, MPhil\, NRP\, WP-C β€” Executive Director\n \n β–Ό\n \n\n\n\n\n\nTask Force Chair Report\nJennifer Landis\, BSN\, RN\, TCRN\, EMT-P (ret.) β€” Task Force Chair\n \n β–Ά\n \n\n\nJune 9 meeting minutes distributed via email β€” no disapprovals or change requests received; minutes stand as approved\nElected members contact list posted to the NCRETAC website and linked in SharePoint\nReminder: elected sector representatives are voting and speaking members; all others participate during designated public comment periods\nHEMS standby vs. launch recommendation from June 9 presented to the NCRETAC Board of Directors\n\n\n \n\nSection II\nTask Force Business\n \n \n\n\n\nSingular Communication Method for HEMS Activation from Ground\nDiscussion Item 1\n \n β–Ά\n \n\nGround EMS agencies currently contact HEMS services through a range of methods β€” direct radio\, dispatch relay\, phone\, and others. This creates variability in activation speed and situational awareness. The Task Force will discuss whether establishing a single standardized communication method for HEMS activation from the ground would reduce friction and improve outcomes.\n\nAction Item from June 9\nJenn Landis distributed this question to GEMS elected members prior to this meeting. Members are asked to share findings and perspectives for discussion today.\n \n \n\n\n\nPublic Comment β€” Following Discussion Item 1\nMembers of the public are invited to comment on the preceding discussion item. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. Direct comments to the Chair.\n \n \n \n\n\n\nClinical Criteria for HEMS Activation\nDiscussion Item 2 β€” Research distributed prior to meeting\n \n β–Ά\n \n\nThe Task Force will review a draft set of research-based clinical criteria for standardizing HEMS activation decisions in the field. The goal is a minimum standard recommendation that reduces variation and improves patient outcomes β€” without preventing any agency from making additions appropriate to their context.\n\nAction Item from June 9\nJenn Landis distributed a draft criteria document and research article synopses to all Task Force members prior to this meeting. Members are asked to have reviewed the materials and come prepared to discuss.\n \nResearch Supporting This Discussion\n\n\nEstablishing a Consensus-Based Definition of Air Medical Transport Need for Rural Patients After Injury\n β–Ά\n \n\nMethods: Expert Delphi panel β€” trauma surgeons\, anesthesiologists\, critical care\, emergency medicine\, and EMS β€” developed a consensus-based tool for air medical transport indications.\nClinical Implications: Evidence-based tool to reduce over- and under-triage. Aligns patient need with available resources in rural settings. Recommends air medical transport for injured patients who would benefit from specialized care\, clinically significant pre-hospital time savings\, or factors prohibiting appropriate ground transport.\n \n\n\n\nAppropriate and Safe Utilization of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services\n β–Ά\n \n\nMethods: Joint position statement from AMPA\, ACEP\, NAEMSP\, and AAEM on HEMS utilization standards.\nClinical Implications: HEMS improves survival when used appropriately: medical necessity\, evidence-based guidelines\, safety\, and integration into the EMS and healthcare system. Formal utilization guidelines are essential for proper patient selection. Protocols shorten launch time and prevent inappropriate over- or under-utilization.\n \n\n\n\nUse of Helicopters to Reduce Health Care System Delay in STEMI Patients\n β–Ά\n \n\nMethods: Multicenter retrospective observational study over 17 years comparing HEMS vs. ground EMS for STEMI patients. Focused on time to PCI and outcomes.\nClinical Implications: HEMS increased transports to a definitive invasive center by 52%. Enables reperfusion therapy within 120 minutes for rural patients beyond 75 km. Time savings to PCI of 14–29 minutes. Interfacility transfer is not associated with timely reperfusion β€” scene-to-PCI is where HEMS provides the greatest benefit.\n \n\n\n\nUse of the Autolaunch Method of Dispatching a Helicopter\n β–Ά\n \n\nMethods: Investigated trauma outcomes comparing autolaunch vs. traditional dispatch over two years. Criteria for autolaunch developed and tested. Medical patients excluded.\nClinical Implications: Improved outcomes: shorter ICU and hospital length of stay. Approximately 4 minutes faster. Effective when paired with clear criteria\, trained dispatchers\, and integrated EMS systems. Improved working relationships between HEMS\, ground EMS\, and law enforcement.\n \n\n\n\n\nPublic Comment β€” Following Discussion Item 2\nMembers of the public are invited to comment on the preceding discussion item. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. Direct comments to the Chair.\n \n \n \n\n\n\nDistance-Based Criteria β€” Deferred to July\nDiscussion Item 3 β€” Held for future meeting\n \n β–Ά\n \n\nDiscussion of distance-based criteria for HEMS activation has been deferred to the July 28 meeting to allow adequate time for the clinical criteria and communication method discussions. No action is required on this item today.\n \n\n\n\nPublic Comment β€” Following Discussion Item 3\nMembers of the public are invited to comment on the preceding discussion item. Comments are limited to three minutes per speaker. Direct comments to the Chair.\n \n \n \n\nSection III\nAdvisory Business & Look Ahead\n \n\n\n\nAgenda Items for Future Meetings\nPlanning and priorities\n \n β–Ό\n \n\n\nNext meeting: Tuesday\, July 28\, 2026 β€” 10:00 AM Mountain β€” Virtual Only\nJuly agenda: distance-based criteria discussion and any outstanding items from today\nNick Nudell will distribute the July meeting invite\nUpcoming reporting obligations to the Clinical and Professional Standards Committee\n\n\n \n\nAbout\nHEMS Task Force Charter\n \n\n\nPurpose\n β–Ό\n \n\nThe Helicopter EMS Utilization and Performance Task Force is established by NCRETAC to evaluate and improve the clinical utilization\, request processes\, data visibility\, and performance monitoring of helicopter EMS services across the region.\nThis task force provides a collaborative forum for EMS agencies\, medical directors\, dispatch partners\, trauma system stakeholders\, and air medical programs to develop a shared understanding of regional HEMS utilization and identify opportunities for system improvement. The goal is consistent\, clinically appropriate\, and data-informed use of air medical resources in alignment with patient needs\, geographic realities\, and system capacity.\n \n\n\n\nScope of Work\n β–Ά\n \n\nKey Focus Areas\n\nEvaluating current HEMS utilization patterns across the region\nReviewing request and activation processes\, including clinical indications\, decision pathways\, and interagency coordination\nAssessing available tracking mechanisms and data sources related to HEMS requests\, responses\, cancellations\, and outcomes\n\nSpecific Tasks\n\nReviewing regional policies\, guidelines\, and informal practices related to HEMS activation\nExamining variability in utilization and request processes across agencies or operational settings\nIdentifying gaps in data availability\, data quality\, or performance reporting\nDeveloping recommendations to improve clinical decision support\, documentation\, tracking\, and performance monitoring\nPromoting consistency\, transparency\, and shared understanding of best practices for helicopter EMS utilization\n\nPotential Deliverables\nIf interest and perceived value exist among participants\, the task force may also explore:\n\nA HEMS utilization framework describing clinical need\, operational context\, and system performance considerations\nA regional HEMS performance dashboard highlighting utilization patterns and operational indicators\nA HEMS request taxonomy to improve consistency in documenting the primary drivers of helicopter requests\nA regional HEMS utilization map illustrating request locations\, transport destinations\, and geographic access to care\nA decision-support matrix describing common clinical and operational factors considered when requesting helicopter transport\n\n\n\n\nAuthority\n β–Ά\n \n\n\nAuthorized by the NCRETAC Board of Directors through the Clinical and Professional Standards Committee\nMakes recommendations to the Clinical and Professional Standards Committee regarding focus areas and proposed improvements to regional practice\, data tracking\, or system performance monitoring\nThe Committee may advance recommendations to the Board for consideration as appropriate\nDoes not have authority to enter into contracts or make decisions on behalf of NCRETAC without prior Board approval\n\n\n \n\nParticipation\nGet Involved with the HEMS Task Force\n\nPhysicians\, air medical providers\, EMS agencies\, and hospital partners across Northeast Colorado are encouraged to participate\nThe Task Force meets as needed and benefits from broad regional representation across all six sectors\nDirect influence on regional air medical utilization standards\, clinical quality\, and system performance\n\n\n \n Express Interest in Participating\n \n \nQuestions? Contact Nick Nudell at nick@ncretac.org or (970) 580-2668.\n \n \n\nMeeting Conduct & Participation\n\n\nParliamentary Authority\n Meetings are conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order\, except where NCRETAC Bylaws or adopted policies provide otherwise.\n \n\nPublic Comment\n Public comment periods are designated on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes. Comments should be directed to the Chair.\n \n\nConduct\n Diversity of thoughts\, lived experiences\, and perspectives are valued here. Disruptive\, rude\, or vulgar behavior is not appropriate and may result in removal from the meeting.\n \n \n \n \n\n β–Ά Adjourn URL:https://ncretac.org/meeting/hems-task-force-meeting-june23/ LOCATION:Microsoft Teams Meeting CATEGORIES:Meetings ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ncretac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hems-scaled.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Jenn Landis":MAILTO:Jennifer.Landis@bannerhealth.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260623T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260623T105000 DTSTAMP:20260623T153249Z CREATED:20260623T153249Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260623T153249Z UID:10000641-1782208800-1782211800@ncretac.org SUMMARY:Helicopter EMS Utilization & Performance Task Force DESCRIPTION:NCRETAC Helicopter EMS Utilization & Performance Task Force \nAgenda\, Minutes\, and working documents are available on SharePoint at: Meeting Minutes & Agendas \nThe RETAC calendar has the agenda and links: https://ncretac.org/meeting/ \n________________________________Microsoft Teams meetingJoin: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/26140065039867?p=XLlI504nab05zGvQKmMeeting ID: 261 400 650 398 67Passcode: vq6AX3tt \n________________________________Dial in by phone+1 323-694-0365\,\,885963451# United States\, Los AngelesFind a local numberPhone conference ID: 885 963 451#[Company Logo]The mission of the NCRETAC is to enhance coordination and collaboration among hospital and prehospital providers\, support all emergency medical and trauma services organizations within our region\, and promote equitable patient care through access to safety\, education\, and resources.Org help | Privacy and security________________________________________________________________________________ URL:https://ncretac.org/meeting/helicopter-ems-utilization-performance-task-force/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20260627T073000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20260627T173000 DTSTAMP:20260508T005841Z CREATED:20251022T022054Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T005841Z UID:10000533-1782545400-1782581400@ncretac.org SUMMARY:Northeast Colorado Emergency Medical Symposium DESCRIPTION:Northeast Colorado Emergency Medical Symposium \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n\n Sponsored by Northeast Colorado RETAC\n \n\n πŸ“… June 27\, 2026 Β |Β \n πŸ•— 0730–1730 Β |Β \n πŸ“ Morgan County Fairgrounds – 4H Building\, 750 Ellsworth St\, Brush\, CO 80723\n \n\nNortheast Colorado Emergency Medical Symposium\n\n The Northeast Colorado Emergency Medical Symposium is a full-day regional education event bringing together professionals from across the emergency response and healthcare continuum. Sponsored by NCRETAC\, the symposium focuses on strengthening collaboration and clinical excellence among pre-hospital providers\, hospital clinicians\, fire personnel\, and emergency response partners throughout Northeast Colorado.\n \n\n This event features multiple expert presenters delivering educational sessions on current topics in emergency medicine\, trauma care\, and operational response. Attendees will participate in lectures\, interactive discussions\, and hands-on skills stations designed to reinforce clinical competencies and introduce practices that improve patient care and responder safety.\n \n\nEducational presentations from experienced EMS\, hospital\, and fire service professionals\nHands-on skills training focused on practical application and clinical proficiency\nRegional system collaboration between pre-hospital agencies and healthcare facilities\nNetworking opportunities with professionals from across Northeast Colorado\n\n\nWhat You Will Learn\n\n Full session topics will be announced as the program is finalized. Expect interactive\, practical education covering:\n \n\nCurrent Topics in Emergency Medicine\nTrauma Care Best Practices\nPre-Hospital Operational Response\nHands-On Skills Stations\nRegional Systems of Care\nResponder Safety and Clinical Proficiency\n\n\n Full agenda and session descriptions coming soon.\n \n\nFeaturing\n\n The Northeast Colorado EMS Symposium will include participation from leading regional organizations committed to advancing pre-hospital and emergency care:\n \n\nFlight for Life Colorado – Regional air medical transport and critical care expertise\nUCHealth Pre-Hospital Integrated Medical Direction and Instruction – Hospital-based medical direction supporting EMS systems across the region\nAdditional presenters and organizations to be announced\n\n\nAbout This Event\n\n The Northeast Colorado Emergency Medical Symposium reflects RETAC’s commitment to advancing trauma care\, improving emergency response systems\, and supporting ongoing professional development for those who serve on the front lines of emergency medical care.\n \n\n Whether you are a paramedic\, EMT\, nurse\, physician\, firefighter\, or dispatch professional\, this symposium is designed to strengthen your skills\, expand your network\, and deepen your connection to the regional emergency care system that serves Northeast Colorado.\n \n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nDate\nJune 27\, 2026 Β |Β  0730–1730\n\n\nAudience\nParamedics\, EMTs\, nurses\, physicians\, firefighters\, dispatch professionals\, and all emergency response partners\n\n\nTuition\nFree to all members of the Northeast Colorado RETAC region\n\n\nPresenters\nMultiple expert presenters – full faculty list coming soon\n\n\nLocation\nMorgan County Fairgrounds – 4H Building\, 750 Ellsworth St\, Brush\, CO 80723\n\n\n\n\nRegistration & Contact\n\n Reserve your seat for June 27.\n Registration is free and open to all emergency response and healthcare professionals in the Northeast Colorado RETAC region. Click the button below to complete the registration form. \n\n \n Register Now\n \n \n\n\n Space may be limited. Reserve your seat early.\n \n\n πŸ“§ Questions: nick@ncretac.org\n \n\n πŸ“ž Call: (970) 580-2668 URL:https://ncretac.org/meeting/eastern-plains-ems-conference/ LOCATION:Morgan County Fairgrounds – 4H Building\, 750 Ellsworth Street\, Brush\, CO\, 80723\, United States CATEGORIES:Conferences,Training ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ncretac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_5958.webp ORGANIZER;CN="Travis Freeman":MAILTO:tfreeman@co.morgan.co.us END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR