First Responders Given Access to W.Va. End-of-Life Registry

The West Virginia Center for End-of-Life Care has given first responders in the state access to its online registry.

Center director Dr. Alvin Moss says the addition of emergency medical services provider to the system will ensure that patients’ end-of-life wishes are respected.

Moss tells The Charleston Gazette-Mail that EMS personnel can access the registry while transporting a patient to see if the person has an advance directive. Advance directives allow people to outline what medical decisions can be made on their behalf if they are unable to because of illness or incapacitation.

He says the West Virginia Offices of Emergency Medical Services hopes to have EMS units across the state trained to use the registry by the end of the month.