EMSAAC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

MINUTES

 

February 26, 2002
Glendale Fire Station #21
2nd Floor Meeting Room, 421

Oak Street, Glendale

10:00AM to 4:00 PM

 

 

1.         Welcome & Introductions: Meeting called to order at 10:15, Attendance list attached.

 

2.         Changes in the Agenda: Add HCFA Final Rule Report, Need for additional meeting dates? IT task force, EMT-II, AB 261, CMA, Cal- ACEP Initiative

 

3.         Consent Calendar: The Minutes and Treasure report were pulled off the consent calendar. Corrections to minutes were noted. Questions were directed to the amount of the conference calls identified in the Treasure Report. The amount identified is for multiple calls. Minutes and Treasure Report M/S/A Andriese / Osur

 

4.         Membership: New member Peggy Earl, from San Bentio M/S/A Inch / Andriese

 

5.         HFCA Ruling: Jim Doty from American Medical Response (AMR) provide a report on the final ruling.  He distributed a handout, which explained key issue. The effective date is April 1, 2002. The HCFA Rule, on a national level should be budget neutral, it is a redistribution of Medicare dollars. California may experience a loss of approximately 16 – 20 million dollars in revenue as direct results of the reduced fee schedule. The full impact of this has not been determined.  To track the effects of the new fee schedule will take effort and good documentation.

 

6.         Legislative Update: B. Pletz, provided a brief review of the various bills and provided an update on the current status. Since the legislative committee meet additional bills have been introduced, the group has not had an opportunity to review them nor provide a recommendation at this time. Action was taken on the following bills: A motion to support AB1745 if amended to have either DHS or EMSA rather than OES as the identified agency responsible for disaster coordination of physicians, and define the language referenced as “qualified physician” to provide expertise/ response, M/S/A Osur / Lapolla.   A motion to support AB1815, with language amendment to indicated funds appropriated for antiterrorism activities by local emergency medical services, M/S/A Hastings/ Osur.   A motion to support AB 1919 in concept but recommend that the bill be improved by limiting the minimum standards, to be developed by EMS Authority, to the paramedic training curricula, M/S/A Lapolla/ Osur. A motion to support SB1298 M/S/A Lathrop/Osur . 

 

7.         Commission Agenda: Chuck Baucom will not be able to attend the Commission meeting tomorrow, 02/27/02.  Issues for discussion are AED regulation is was recommended to support the revision to the AED regulations.  San Diego EMS Agency’s will also be reporting the final results on the RSI study.

 

8.         Report on Workgroups: Hospital diversion group, Hastings reported that a survey has been distributed; the group is working on drafting a statewide diversion policy.  Interfacility Transfers  group, Lathrop reported that on the group’s Mission Statement “To make recommendations to EMS Authority for the development and implementation of a safe integrated statewide medical transfer system.  This system shall ensure that patients have timely access to, and provision of, an appropriate level of healthcare while preserving the integrity of the medical 9-1-1 system and the integration of public and private resources. This system will require adequate funding and reimbursement to meet system needs”. The group is moving toward drafting recommendations to provide greater flexibility of paramedic ambulances for interfacility transfers, and greater flexibility of moving ambulance between counties. In addition the group has identified the lack of existing resources in Critical Care transport units throughout California’s system as a whole.  The committee is also looking at the special training needs for paramedic providing IT. Data Group, Karsteadt provided a through PowerPoint presentation, which included the following: State Data Group D Calif. EMS Information System Database, Communication, Scripts, Data Display, Probabilistic Matching, Geographic Information System (GIS). The data report was well received the group has worked diligently to finding solutions to the meet California’s EMS system need for data.

 

9.         Vision Update: M. Swanson reported that the draft plan has been shared with the vision leads. The System Standard and Guidelines have been reviewed with the vision leads and against the NHTSA recommendations.  The Vision Conference is scheduled for Dec. 5 & 6. Time will be allowed during the conference for a poster presentation session. This session will highlight activities promoted through the vision process. Funding: M. Frenn reported that the Funding meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled. The group is working on a white paper, once completed, this will be presented to EMSAAC for input. Governance: B Pletz reported that the group is working on the additional objectives identified, leaving the governance issue to CSAC and the League of Cities for further discussion.   At tonight’s Governance meeting the membership structure for the EMS Commission will be discussed. Education:  D. Becker reported that survey to assess the needs of the rural communities have been sent out.  CE requirements are being compared to adjacent states. A flow chart is being developed to identify and clarify the optional scope of practice process.  She requested feedback on EMT-1 State Certification testing by June. System Evaluation S Andriese reported on the LEMSA assessment document is has been approved in committee, and will be shared with the governance committee and vision leads.  Access G. Jones reported that the committee has agreed to look at objectives other than EMD, such as alternate 911 systems. Consensus has been reached on the standards and guidelines, but the group is having difficulty moving beyond the medical control issues of concern for CQI for EMD programs. Gwen asked for input from the group regarding PSAP medical control issue.   Feedback was provided, L Inch brought up the Supreme Court decision regarding medical authority. Prevention; M. Osur reported that the EMSA prevention web site has new information and prevention activity references.  A Job description has been developed for a full time prevention coordinator position at the EMS Authority.

 

10.       AED Update:  S. Andriese explained  the revision to the proposed  regulation. He was commended for completing this work with the special task group in such a quick turn-around time.

 

11.       Conference 2002: S. Andriese reported a total of 75 registrants, and reviewed the conference goals.  This year the conference will focus on providing training to LEMSA Staff and provide networking opportunities.

 

12.       Lunch Roundtable: Members present were provided the opportunity to share current issues and upcoming events for local area.

 

13.     CAL-ACEP: Dr. Loren Johnson provided and overview of the California Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians (CAL/ACEP), the California Medical Association (CMA), the California Healthcare Association (CHA), and the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) collaborative initiative to address funding concerns of the EMS system in California..  The proposed “Maddy Emergency and Trauma Services Act” will provide up to $300 million in additional revenues to fund emergency medical services, by increasing the surcharges on DUI moving violations and violent crimes.  Sixty-four percent of these revenues will be allocated to hospitals; 32% allocated to emergency and on-call physicians; and 4% allocated for equipment and training for firefighters/first responders.  The proposed initiative will also require all counties establish EMS Maddy funds, it was not clear how these counties will be required to meet this requirement. The 17% allocated to EMS Agency through existing Maddy funds will not be disturbed.  Counties that administer Maddy funds for the distribution of emergency physicians allocations, and receive 10 % for this services, will have the option to continue to administer the funds for a 4% administration fee, otherwise this process will be handled at the state level or possibly at the Local Medical Society.  Initial polling shows a 68% approval for the initiative concept.  EMSAAC expressed their concern in not being consulted regarding some of the proposed changes to the Maddy fund, but in general supported the intent of the initiative.

 

 14.      EMSA Report: R. Watson reviewed the discussion at EMDAC on the San Diego on RSI. The scope of practice committee elected to have San Diego EMS Agency continue the study until August.  Mr. Watson discussed the following: timeframe of the trauma funding; EMSC NHTSA Assessment; Accreditation of paramedic programs, schools had to apply for accreditation, new schools need to be in operation for one year before applying for accreditation; the authority will work on better coordination of  surveys: discipline action review board, defined what a conviction is different that what is stated will work to move it to Statue, share information between  local agencies and the state to ensure quality paramedic services, and to receive feedback on the appropriate discipline action, provide for the opportunity of fining paramedic vs suspension. EMSA is held to the state public policy on sharing information as the moves forward which impacts their ability share information regarding the process on this issue.

 

J. Rubin discussed the following: Ambulance strike teams for mutual aid during emergencies or disasters, he is working with California Ambulance Association on training issues; reviewed request of 6 representatives one from each region for special committee to continue working on strike teams; Bioterrorism funding, 10 million, 9 million will go to hospitals, EMSA is responsible to identify the needs of the hospital this special committee will be formed to advise authority on the distribution of these funds; Cal-cord was recommended for communication channel  to use during disaster or emergency as a starting point. The EMSA will continue to monitor the FCC designation of frequencies as they become available and provide updates on further developments. There are many issues regarding alternative emergency communication needs in California.  A motion was proposed to investigate setting up a committee on emergency communications system that would include a representative from a county communication center. M/S/A Pletz /Lathrop.  This would provide expertise of local system issue to help identify possible solutions.  Orange County’s communication center manager was in attendance and volunteered to participate.

           

15.       Disaster Plan: J. Rubin, expressed his appreciation to the board for participating on a conference call to provide input on the needs of local agencies and to help prioritize issues for the state in developing plans.  OES has released new “Guidelines for State Plans” the draft plan will need minor revision before it can be released.      

           

16.       Strategic Planning: Due to the additions to the agenda this item was not addressed.

 

17.       Future Agenda Items: none identified

 

18.       Other: Additional meeting date, It was decided to hold a meeting on April 30, 2002,in Palm Springs.  The need for any additional meeting will be assessed at the August meeting.

 
Meeting adjourned at 4:30

 

 

Attendees

 

Steve Andriese                          Mountain-Valley EMS Agency

Debra Becker                            Fresno-Kings-Madera EMS Agency

Carol Biancalana                       EMS Authority

Douglas Buchanan                    Mountain-Valley EMS Agency

Jean English                              Cal Chiefs North

Barry Fisher                               Ventura County EMS Agency

Michael Frenn                            Solano EMS Cooperative

Kris Helander-Daugherty          Alameda County EMS Agency

Laurie Hunter                             American Medical Response

Leaonard Inch                            Sierra-Sac Valley EMS Agency

Darlene Isbell                             Orange County EMS Agency

Dave Jones                                Fresno-Kings-Madera EMS Agency

Gwen Jones                               San Diego County EMS Agency

Larry Karsteadt                          North Coast EMS Agency

Nancy Lapolla                            Santa Barbara County EMS Agency

Art Lathrop                                 Contra Costa County EMS Agency

Bruce Lee                                   Coastal Valley EMS Agency

Maureen McNeil                        EMS Authority

Ron Mayfield                              Cal Chiefs EMS, Southern Sections

Jim McPherson                          Santa Clara County EMS Agency

David Nevins                              Calif. Ambulance Association

Patricia Nunez                           San Diego City         

Michael Osur                              Riverside County EMS Agency

Mike Petrie                                 City/County of San Francisco EMS Section

Barbara Pletz                             San Mateo County EMS Agency

Vickie Pinette                            SSV EMS Agency

Brian Ranger                              Calif. Ambulance Association

Jeff Rubin                                   EMS Authority

Bonnie Sinz                                EMS Authority

Dan Spiess                                Northern California EMS Agency

Miranda Swanson                     EMS Authority

Sean Trask                                 EMS Authority

Richard Watson                         EMS Authority

Pam West                                  Santa Clara County EMS Agency

Ann Yoshinaga                           Riverside County EMS Agency