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Rule change allows Calif. county EMS providers to work in nursing homes

The temporary change is expected to help fill staffing shortages at the facilities

By Laura French

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. — A temporary rule change for EMS providers in a California county will allow them to work in nursing homes in order to help fill staffing shortages.

Los Angeles County EMS Medical Director Dr. Marianne Gauche-Hill told LAist that the change made by the agency permits paramedics and EMTs to administer medications at the facilities under the supervision of a nurse or doctor.

“A number of these EMTs are furloughed and can’t get a position right now, so this creates a unique opportunity for us to leverage that workforce to help out in COVID-related response,” Gauche-Hill said in the LAist interview.

About 2,000 EMS providers are being connected with nursing homes and other employers in the area, Gauche-Hill said.

Nearly 2,000 first responders and healthcare workers in the county have contracted the virus.

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