#OVERSIGHT SYSTEMS PROFESSIONAL#

Researchers interviewed participants at two remote North American sites, then completed transcription and thematic analysis.

#OVERSIGHT SYSTEMS PROFESSIONAL#

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse two approaches to paramedic service clinical governance and quality management from the perspective of two groups of paramedics and paramedic managers working in North America.Ī case study approach was utilised to describe and analyse paramedic service medical direction in North America and contrast this with the professional self-governance and clinical governance systems operating in other high-income countries. This chapter includes four sections: an introduction to the medical oversight of EMS, followed by sections on indirect medical oversight, direct medical oversight, and the provision of direct patient care in the field. An EMS medical director is ideally engaged in all aspect of an EMS service or system, including emergency medical dispatch. EMS physicians also provide direct patient care in the field. Indirectly, a medical director may affect patient care through the development and promulgation of protocols, the education and credentialing of EMS providers, supervision and quality improvement activities, and advocating for patients, EMS providers, and the EMS system. Directly, a physician may provide orders to an EMS provider over the radio, by phone, or on scene. Medical oversight has historically been used interchangeably with the term medical direction to describe a role that is complex and multifaceted and includes elements that affect patient care both directly (direct medical oversight) and indirectly (indirect medical oversight). Some oversight bodies will play a more active role in guiding management than others, while still staying away from day-to-day management of the organization’s activities.Medical oversight is defined as the physician supervision of a service, group, or system providing emergency medical services (EMS).

In practice, oversight can be conducted through various functions, including:ĭifferent oversight bodies will fulfill different oversight functions, in accordance with their specific mandates.

Continuous improvement is taking place.

Developing areas of concern are being dealt with.

Activities comply with policies, laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

Business processes and systems are working well.

Key risks are identified, monitored, and mitigated.

Policies and strategies are being implemented as intended.

Due diligence takes place before key decisions are made.

In other words, oversight (or watchful care) is a safety net to ensure the following: Indeed, those in charge of oversight functions are asked to look at a process, program, or project from above, but not to get involved in its day-to-day management. Oversight is composed of “over,” meaning above, and “sight,” meaning looking, but not touching. Oversight is a critical governance function performed by boards of directors, committees, councils, and external bodies.

are in compliance with applicable policies, laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

Oversight refers to the actions taken to review and monitor public sector organizations and their policies, plans, programs, and projects, to ensure that they:

This Practice Guide recognizes that oversight is a component (or subset) of good governance and adopts definitions of these terms suited to public sector organizations. What Is Oversight and How Does it Relate to Governance?ĭefinitions of “oversight” and “governance” vary across public and private sector organizations, but they share many similar elements.

Oversight systems