"If everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking."  George Patton

It has been amazing to witness and participate in the process of progress here at NAAMTA.  Countless hours of hard work and dedication have culminated in the achievement of a standard of quality that none other in the medical transport industry has achieved--NAAMTA's ISO 9001:2008 certification.  This achievement required individuals to think a little differently--to not be satisfied with the status quo--to believe that there is still more improvement to come.  While it doesn't take courage to think differently, it does take courage to act upon those ideas. 

Last month we started the process of implementing changes to some of our medical standards.  We have started with looking at educational standards for training and maintenance of intubation and subglottic airway competency.  Many great ideas have come from initiation of our Standards Discussion Board.  In response to these ideas, NAAMTA is taking a bold move towards "thinking" differently than the standard quo.  I invite all to participate in the discussion board.  We currently have a proposed change to the standard addressing educational requirements for airway competency.  Part of this change incorporates outcome-based service goals.

As we move forward with establishing benchmark standards for the medical transport industry, I am excited to know that NAAMTA is at the forefront of the industry's standards.

Nancy Purcell, MSN, APRN
Medical Administrator