EMSAAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Sheraton Hotel
and Marina
1380 Harbor
Island Drive
San Diego,
California
August 27, 2002
10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m.
MINUTES
1.
Welcome & Introduction
At approximately 10:05AM, Steve Andriese
convened the meeting and welcomed those in attendance. A roundtable introduction of all attendees
was completed.
2.
Presentation of the New
Board / Recognition of the Outgoing Board
Steve introduced the new board members and
their positions/roles on the board. He also
recognized the outgoing board members for their commitment to the success of
EMSAAC last year. Steve presented a
special award to Gwen Jones, Immediate Past President, for her contributions
and dedication to the organization.
3.
Approval of Agenda and
review of new agenda format
No comments.
Agenda was approved as drafted.
4.
Consent Calendar
§
Minutes
of May 28, 2002 EMSAAC Meeting and Treasurer’s Report. Motion – To approve with
amendments as noted. Inch (M), Osur (S) – passed unanimously.
§
Workshop
Summary of July 23-24, 2002 – pulled for further review.
§
Added
back to consent: Workshop Summary of July 23-24, 2002: Motion – To approve without
changes. Inch (M), Lathrop (S) – passed unanimously.
5.
EMSAAC donation item pulled
/ replaced with EMD Guidelines (Agenda Item No. 24)
Considerable discussion regarding EMSAAC
concern of the current draft version (May 27, 2002) of the EMS Dispatch Program
Standards (EMD). EMDAC has already
issued a letter of support of the document.
In this respect, the lack of coordination and communication between
EMDAC and EMSAAC was also discussed.
The following are the items/areas of concern
EMSAAC regarding the EMD Program Standards document:
§
Sec.
G, page 10 (lack of medical director role)
§
Guidelines
are not consistent with activities with other Vision groups. Leadership team needs to recognize this
problem.
§
No
outside medical review and oversight built in.
§
Does
not contain provisions of California Supreme Court decision regarding medical
control, including dispatch.
§
Recommend
new section that specifically addresses “Medical Control” should be added.
§
Nothing
in EMS regulations that allows the EMS medical director to turn his power over
to some else.
§
Document
needs to have data element or data requirement added.
§
Add
new area under Section II regarding medical control.
§
Section
E---needs to add LEMSA’s in document.
Motion - To oppose EMS Vision EMD Program Standards
in current form (May 27, 2002). Actions to include taking concerns back to
EMDAC today, and later to Visions Leadership Group in writing. Leonard (M),
Osur (S) – passed unanimously. Leonard
Inch was to draft letter to the VLT.
6.
Membership:
The Treasurer proposed the addition of two
new EMSAAC members, with completed applications:
§
David
Baumstark – Kern County EMS Director
§
Jennifer
Case – SLO County EMS Trauma Coordinator
Motion - To approve new
membership. Jones (M), LaPolla (S) – passed unanimously.
7.
Financial Report – Deleted from Agenda
8.
Legislative Report
Mike Osur presented the legislative report
for Barbara Pletz (on vacation). An updated bill-tracking document was
distributed. Considerable discussion followed, particularly on the following
bills:
AB 883, AB 1833, AB 1988, AB 2035, AB 2067,
SB 406, SB 1695
Bioterrorism (HRSA) funding issues also
discussed. However, most of the HRSA
funding issues were held until later in the agenda under the Disaster
Preparedness item.
Motion – To send letter in
support of AB 687 (Thomson and Hertberg), with amendments requested (see
attached), relating to the trauma system. Leonard (M), Osur (S) - passed
unanimously.
9.
Report on July Workshop
(Agenda Items 9 and 10 Covered together)
This workshop was organized to assure that an
effective organizational structure was in-place to meet the challenges and
goals of the new year. As a team, the
Board members discussed areas the EMSAAS has been effective, and areas that we
have been relatively in effective.
Steve discussed the key points of the organizational changes for EMSAAC,
as proposed in the Board Workshop. It
was generally agreed that EMSAAC must position itself in the future to become
more proactive in leadership roles, in various ways, at the State level. (see Workshop Summary)
10. EMSAAC Committee Structure, Membership Assignments, and Charge (Agenda
Items 9 and 10 Covered Together)
Steve reviewed the current EMSAAC committee
assignment document. There was substantial discussion regarding work
expectations and deliverables. The need
to make the Board more of a “working board” was also discussed and agreed to,
in concept.
Motion - To approve the direction and structure
recommended by the documents developed in the Board Workshop. Isbell (M), Lathrop (S) - passed unanimously.
11. Board Liaison Responsibilities Policy
Steve presented and reviewed the Board
Liaison Responsibilities Policy. No changes recommended or needed.
Motion - To approve Board Liaison Responsibilities
Policy. Jones (M), Isbell (S) - passed
unanimously.
12. Letter to Organizations RE: EMSAAC Representation
It was decided that letters should go out to
all committees and organizations to which EMSAAC sends representatives
identifying the current years appointments.
Steve will draft a template of the letter and e-mail it to the Board
liaisons. The Board liaisons will use
the template to draft letters to those external committees and organizations
under their components.
Steve also mentioned that it was important to
report back on the status of any committee that was perceived to be ineffective
and not functioning well so that EMSAAC representation and participation could
be reassessed.
LUNCH
EMSAAC / EMDAC held a combined meeting. Richard Watson presented a report from State
EMS Authority and discussed the following key issues.
§
Funding
issues at the State level.
Ø
State
budget still not passed (as of this date).
Ø
20%
reduction next FY very possible.
Ø
23%
reduction already this current FY within the EMSA budget.
Ø
RFP
out for Poison Control Centers. No
funding guaranteed at this time.
§
HIPPA
compliance issues (Steve Therit, MD).
§
Vision
Project /Vision Conference in December
Ø
Plans
for completing project.
Ø
Block
of room reserved under EMSA.
Ø
Difficulty
with contracting for food at next Vision conference. Request to EMSAAC for
helping facilitate payment for conference food (writing the check).
§
EMT-II
project support and rural application of personnel.
Ø
Tulare
County representative expressed their concern on the latest draft of the regulations.
13. Conference 2002 Final Report and Response to Conference Participants
§
Two
primary goals of the conference: 1. Networking with other LEMSA’s (74
participants) 2. Developing objectives of programs the LEMSA’s should be
working on together.
§
Action
Item: Steve Andriese to send letter
back to conference participants regarding follow-up on recommendations.
§
All
high priority issues from recommendation list were addressed/added to EMSAAC
committee assignments.
14. Mission, Vision, and Value Statement
Steve entertained and invited discussion on
this item. A draft document was
distributed within the agenda packet. A
number of recommendations were voiced by the membership. Another draft will be distributed soon for
review and comment. It was agreed that language regarding system integration
and continuity of care, and EMS as an essential public service.
15. Ethics Committee – Rules / Code of Conduct / Membership
Documents:
§
Code
of Professional Conduct
§
Ethics
Committee Rules
Considerable discussion on scope of committee
rules and the code, in general. Key
question: When and how does this policy
or code apply? It was the general
consensus to refer item back to the Ethics Committee so that they can meet and
reconsider draft documents and report back to Board in October.
Motion - Board to take the recommended action on the
make-up of the Ethics Committee at this time.
This committee will serve in this capacity until the by-laws are
amended. Lathrop (M), LaPolla (S) -
passed unanimously.
16. EMSAAC Phone Number / Address
The need for a centralized and
stable/consistent location for EMSAA mail and phone contact was deemed to be
important. Art Lathrop will return to
the next meeting with recommendation regarding this matter.
17. Budget Committee
The following issues were discussed:
§
Financial
Policies – proposed financial policies were distributed and discussed.
§
Budget
– A proposed budget for FY 02/03 was distributed and discussed.
§
Other
Revenue Sources – It was noted that new/additional revenue sources should be
considered in the upcoming years. Until
now, the primary revenue sources have been conferences and membership dues.
§
Hotel
Tax Waivers – It was suggested that due to the non-profit status of EMSAAC,
that a hotel tax waiver may be available.
That was determined to be incorrect.
There are no sales tax waivers for a non-profit.
§
Audit
Report
Furthermore, it was mentioned that there is a
subsidy of each lunch meeting by the fund balance. The meal/meeting charges (usually $35.00) do not cover the actual
charges for most lunches.
§
Suggestion
for board officers professional liability insurance. The Treasurer will get cost quotes for this coverage.
§
EMSAAC
currently maintains an account surplus of $40,000.
Motion -- To adopt the FY 2002/03 EMSAAC budget. Darlene
(M), Nancy (S) - passed unanimously.
Motion – To adopt EMSAAC financial control policies
and guidelines, as presented by Treasurer. Nancy (M), Darlene (S)-- passed
unanimously.
18. 2003 Conference – Subject, Location, Focus
Nancy LaPolla reported on progress with
planning for the next EMSAAC conference.
Recommend San Diego as the location for the conference. Target dates are May 1-2, 2003. There is an emphasis on getting the
information out early. Nancy asked for
feedback and suggestions relative to topics for the conference and the
importance of a golf tournament.
A question was presented for discussion:
should the focus of the conference be management/administration or
clinical/field?
Motion -- To move ahead and commit funding for hotel
and obtain serves of conference consultant, in the amount not to exceed
$7,500.00. Nancy (M), Mike Osur (S) -- passed unanimously.
19. Bylaws – Update/Address Change
It was stated that there is a need to change
corporate address. This will be
addressed during the October meeting.
20. General Report – External Committees
No report at this time.
21. EMS Commission Agenda
Chuck Baucom discussed the key topics at the
upcoming Commission meeting.
§
Poison
Control emergency regulation change.
This is being done in coordination with the RFP process that is under
way.
§
Trial
Studies: 5 in total.
§
Governance
Issues.
A request from EMSA was received to have
EMSAAC be the contracting entity for the food at the upcoming Vision Conference
in San Francisco. Estimated cost is
$24,000, due to hotel. It is anticipated that all costs will be covered by
conference registrants.
Motion -- To support the request of State EMSA to
have EMSAAC contract for the cost of the food at the conference, with the
expectation that all cost will be offset by registrant fees. Leonard (M), Osur
(S) -- passed unanimously. The
President and Treasurer will negotiate a contract with State EMSA.
Staffing
and Training
22. EMT-II Regulations
Discussed earlier on the agenda.
23. General Report – External Committees
No additional information to report.
Communications
24. EMD Guidelines – Moved this item up in agenda.
25. General Report – External Committees
No additional information to report.
First
Response and Transport
26. General Report – External Committees
Facilities
and Critical Care Services
27. Controlled Substance Re-supply
An action item was agreed to: Doug Buchanan
to develop a survey to determine how the various LEMSA’s handle drug re-supply
and report back to group in October.
28. General Report – External Committee
No additional information to report.
System
Evaluation and Improvement
29. HIPPA Requirements
Already covered during lunch session.
30. General Report – External Committees
No additional information to report.
Public
Education and Prevention
31. General Report – External Committees
No additional information to report.
Disaster
Preparedness
32. HRSA Grant Committee
Darlene Isbell presented a report on the HRSA
grant committee and related bioterrorism funding. The report included the
following key issues:
§
Currently,
due to travel problem with State budget, the committee has not been meeting.
§
One
of the priorities of the committee is to develop standardized curriculum for
training.
§
A
consultant is being hired by the State to perform a needs assessment that will
help prioritize project funding.
A lengthy discussion with the representative
from State EMSA followed. The EMSAAC
membership emphasized the need to quicken the pace of the distribution of the
funds in light of the perceived bioterrorism threat and the lack of
preparedness by most hospitals.
33. Statewide Disaster Standards Project
A report will be provided to all of the
LEMSA’s by the end of September 2002.
34. Ambulance Strike Team Report
No additional information to report.
35. General Report – External Committees
No additional information to report.
Wrap Up
36. Future Meeting Dates
§
October
22, 2002 in Northern California.
Probably at the Embassy Suites in Old Town Sacramento.
§
December
3, 2002 at the Marines Memorial, in San Francisco
37. Roundtable Reports
§
San
Diego County – Trauma system assessment in the RFP process. Will select a consultant soon.
§
Marin
County – New EMS Specialist just hired.
ACS has just completed a trauma system review for the County. Report due in about 6 weeks.
§
Kern
County – Local hospitals under pressure with diversions and staffing. Accreditation issues with paramedics.
§
ICEMA
– New performance based contracts for ambulance services providers in
develoment.
§
Fresno
– Bioterrorism and trauma issues have been the key focus areas recently. New standardized software for trauma
registry recently implemented. Impact
of new HCFA rules on ambulance providers under review.
§
Coastal
Valleys – Evaluation and re-designation of Level II Trauma Center at Santa Rosa
Memorial Hospital recently completed; currently recruiting for various staff
positions within Agency; RFP complete for up-valley provider area. Also, REDCOM (join fire/EMS dispatch
program) to be running by November 1, 2002.
§
Ventura
County – New Bioterrorism Planning Unit up and running.
§
LA
County – Property tax initiative to raise funding for new public safety program. Bioterrrorism program under development.
§
EMSA/Disaster
– Boot camp program well enrolled.
Medical disaster exercise upcoming in November. Recent book published by JAHCO on hospital
disaster preparedness and program endorsement of HICS.
§
San
Luis Obispo County – Creating a trauma system is the key priority. Selecting a
trauma registry in progress.
§
Monterey
County – Also in the process of creating a trauma system. AMR has given notice to terminate ambulance
contract. Recent new hires in EMS
office.
§
North
Coast EMS – Starting AB 430 Trauma System development. Consultant hired. Two special projects – MCI disaster planning and rural continuing
education project.
§
Nor
CAL EMS – Recent additions to trauma systems with new hospital
designations. Eager to see new EMT-II
regulations move ahead.
§
Solano
County – “No diversion” policy in place.
Trauma grant project underway.
New performance based contracts with public fire providers now signed.
§
Santa
Barbara County. – Contracts in-place with all ALS public and private
providers. Annual County EMS Conference
scheduled. May have CALSTAR enter
County as an EMS Aircraft provider.
Implemented trauma registry system.
§
El
Dorado County – Recently hired a new EMS Medical Director. County now entirely
fire based ALS system. In process of
recruitment for new Administrator.
§
Santa
Clara County – Recently hired EMS investigator in office. Diversion events are decreasing
county-wide. Still recruiting for
Medical Director for Agency.
§
SSV
– Developing performance based contract with provider in Placer County. Moving from using Valium to Versed, due to
supply issues. ED diversion hours on
the decrease. Office recruiting for
various positions.
§
Mountain
Valley – WMD training project underway.
No diversion policy in-place, for over one year. In process of re-negotiating ambulance
agreements with providers in Stanislaus County. Dispatch changes involving AMR.
AB 430 trauma planning process underway.
§
Orange
County – Diversions on the decrease in the County. EMCC recently approved a two hour maximum diversion, per
event. Developing a bioterrorism
team. May have an neighboring county
agency provider fire/EMS service within Orange County.
§
Contra
Costa County – In the process with contracting with consultant to better
integrate ALS non-transport with ALS transport system. Bioterrorism planning
very active.
38. Future Agenda Items
None discussed.
39. Adjournment
Members in Attendance
|
Steve Andriese |
Mountain-Valley EMS Agency |
|
Chuck Baucom |
Merced County EMS Agency |
|
David Baumstark |
Kern County EMS Department |
|
Douglas Buchanan |
Mountain-Valley EMS Agency |
|
Patricia Crawford |
Tulare County EMS Agency |
|
Barry Fisher |
Ventura County EMS Agency |
|
Diane Fisher |
Inland Counties EMS Agency |
|
Michael Frenn |
Solano EMS Cooperative |
|
Louie Garnica |
Fresno-Kings-Madera EMS Agency |
|
Virginia Hastings |
Los Angeles County EMS Agency |
|
Leonard Inch |
Sierra-Sac Valley 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 Agengy |
|
Bruce Lee |
Coastal Valleys EMS Agency |
|
Carol Lee |
El Dorado County EMS Agency |
|
Daniel Lynch |
Fresno-Kings-Madera EMS Agency |
|
Bonny Martignoni |
Coastal Valleys EMS Agency |
|
Jim McPherson |
Santa Clara County EMS Agency |
|
Patricia Nunez |
City of San Diego EMS |
|
Jan Ogar |
San Mateo County EMS Agency |
|
Michael Osur |
Riverside County EMS Agency |
|
Troy Peterson |
Marin County EMS Agency |
|
Vickie Pinette |
Placer County (SSV EMS) |
|
John Pritting |
Imperial County EMS Agency |
|
Dan Spiess |
Northern California EMS Agency |
|
Jennifer Case |
San Luis Obispo EMS Agency |
|
Maureen McNeil |
EMSA |
|
Miranda Swanson |
EMSA |
|
Laurie Hunter |
AMR SoPac |
|
Kent Coxon |
Coastal Valleys EMS Agency |
|
Jeff Rubin |
EMSA |