Friday, February 26, 2010
COLUMBUS (AP) — A state panel will now require Ohio paramedic training programs to be nationally accredited, a move advocates say will improve patient care.
Critics say accreditation is costly and unnecessary.
The state Emergency Medical Services board approved the change on Thursday.
Currently, only five of the more than 50 paramedic training courses in Ohio are accredited, with another 14 pursuing that status.
Supporters of accreditation say Ohio’s paramedics should meet national standards.
But opponents, including EMS agencies, say Ohio already has standards that are higher than the national ones. They also complain about the roughly $2,000 cost for a program to be accredited.