Vermont Emergency Medical Services

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District Board Minutes

VTEMSD#3 Board meeting minutes for February 8, 2007.  Meeting called to order at 1834 by Vice-Chair Lindquist.  In attendance were:

INTRODUCTIONS (Lindquistl) 

• Mike O’Neil is out of town tonight.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Lindquist) 

• Motion to approve the minutes for the January 2007 meeting (Jones/A.Akerlind).  Motion approved.

CORRESPONDENCE (Lindquist) 

• From Becca Webb, via email:  request to separate FR-ECA and Modules into individual agenda items; and course update.

TREASURY (Danaher) 

• Account balance = $14,177.10
• Still wrapping up old account

MEDICAL DIRECTION (James) 

• HeART Foundation:  (James) Recent setback in project progress with Medtronic pulling machines off the market.  The question now is do we wait for resolution or go with Zoll or Phillips?  A lengthy discussion ensued with these issues raised:
  • (James) Zoll has had problems with their product, low quality diagnostic machine, difficulties with downloading data, and the inability to defibrillate v-fib above 360 joules.  There is a QA piece that is integral to the HeART project that Zoll cannot provide.  Medtronic does a better job on with all these points.
  • (Lindquist) Medtronic willingly pulled their products.
  • (Putnam) QA/QI product with manufacturing – they are not sure when they will start up again.
  • (Lindquist) Give Medtronic time to fix problems.
  • (James) Do we want to go with Medtronic or stay with Zoll?
  • (Lindquist) Most services using Zoll – this would create a situation in which two different brands in use at one service.
  • (James) We are still meeting with the Zoll rep.
  • (Jones) Why can’t Zoll QA?
    (James) Data only transmitted over fax, not computer.  We can go with Zoll, but it is not the best product; or, we can wait and see what happens with Medtronic.
  • (Lindquist) For such an investment, it warrants waiting to until our next meeting.
  • (Lasker) Does this affect funding?
  • (James) No, just trying to stay on track with plans.  Zoll energy delivery at 360 joules is not comparable to Medtronic.  Medtronic has a better defibrillator.
  • (Lindquist) Let’s wait another month.
  • (James) We have to go with the best product, not necessarily the easiest.  We are negotiating a maintenance contract that will include cables and a back-up machine for use when a service’s unit is out for repair.
  • (Putnam) Is there a significant price difference?  (James) Not really.
  • (Brent) Everyone should call Zoll and ask why their units do not meet these standards.  If they don’t get satisfaction, we should take it up the line.  (James) I have their attention. 
  • (Brent) We should all go review the equipment prior to purchase.
• QA/QI :  No issues.  Regarding quarterly ALS reports, it appears that some individuals/services may need to address IV success rates.  Do we still need to keep these reports going?  (Brent) You will get more info when the State NEMSIS program comes online.  (Malone) Implementation is within this year. (Lindquist) Keep doing them until NEMSIS online.
• Questions/issues for District Medical Advisor: 
  • (Lindquist) Pedi patients and defib (new State protocol – under “general considerations part D”) - any patient over one year of age is considered an adult in terms of defib.  Use adult settings?  Dr. James is discussing with pediatrics at FAHC and will get back to the Board on this.
  • (Cross) PAD – Are you supposed to switch over to our machine and pads when arriving on scene of an arrest with a PAD that we are not familiar with?  (James) I would never take a machine off that is mid-protocol.  (Lasker) We switch every time.  We do not train with these machines, nor do we maintain them.  If they are mid-cycle, we wait.  (James) What about data.  (Brent) Shock boxes don’t give up data.  (Cross) Residential facilities – folks don’t know that they need MD oversight and connection to EMS.  (Malone) Rules from VT Health Department stipulate both.  Medical direction can be purchased from PAD vendors.  (James) VT is unique.  (Lindquist) Could be a PSA for EMS Week – “If you have a PAD, contact your local EMS provider for integration/connection”.  (Malone) Will cause more problems than it’s worth.  AED is first aid, not EMS.  If you show up and you want to use that machine b/c you know it – fine.  If you turn them into the State – what’s the State going to do?
  • (Cross) Will you be here next month for signatures?  Dr. James will be in attendance at the March 8^th VTEMSD#3 Board meeting and available to sign CE sheets (in time for the March 10^th recert date).  All EMT-Intermediates need to have CE sheets signed at the Board meeting.  Please do not hunt down Dr. James in the ED.

FAHC (Helmken) 

• (Helmken) Last meeting, an offer was made to investigate the possibility of UVM/FAHC Technical Services Program assisting District services update their defibrillator settings.  TSP has agreed to help with this.  Kirsten Jaquith sent information via the District list serv.  Please send me a note with the number of defibs requiring service, their make/model, and one contact person’s info by end of next week.  It won’t be free, but the cost will be low.  I will be in touch.  (Jones) They can’t work on the Zolls.  (Lindquist) They can if they have the software.
  • Gilbert.Helmken@vtmednet.org
• (Helmken) Very busy lately – we have seen some excellent EMS care.
• (Lindquist for Jaquith) Regarding whiteboard in EMT room, one of the complaints was to clean the EMS room.  It’s our place to keep clean.  She’s working on the heat.  If you have a question, go ask Kij.

TRAINING (Malone)

• Course Updates:                                                               [ ] = coordinator
  • FR-ECA [Longe] – No update.
  • FR-ECA [Webb] – From 12/06, two re-tested the airway station; 2/6 are waiting for results currently.  Written scores with 8/9 successful.
  • Modules [Webb] – Module 6 complete, 4/4 passed NR-EMT-B and are awaiting cards from VT EMS.
  • EMT-B twice weekly [Malone] – full class, ongoing.  Just learned that the first person from the Fall 06 class has passed everything, including the online certification exam.
  • EMT-B once weekly [Ziter] – ongoing with May test date.
  • EMT-B summer [Malone] – start date of 5/11, and exam is 6/28.
  • EMT-I [Malone] – Fall 06 program testing complete.  Registration status for spring:  all candidates who took the entrance exam passed.
• Course Proposals:  None
• Upcoming Training Opportunities:
  • (Lindquist) Tuesday 2/20 @ 1900 Greyhound bus incident presentation – SMC science hall.  IC coming from NY on her own time.  Mike Chiarella suggested District offer some compensation.  Motion to purchase Maplefield’s gift card for $20 (Soons/M.Akerlind).  Discussion:  (Group) Inadequate amount – increase to $50 bucks.  Motion amended to $50 gift card.  Motion carries.  Lindquist to take care of details.
  • (Friend) Sunday March 4^th at 1900 UVM Rescue is presenting OB/GYN Emergencies.  It will likely be in Rowell 103 – all are welcome.  (Lindquist) Who is presenting? (Soons) Me.
• Certification/Recertification:
  • Saturday March 10^th EMT-B recert (2) sessions – AM 0900 & PM 1330.  Sign up through the State – no need to call Pat.  
  • Recertification opportunity on Thursday June 28^th, when summer EMT-B tests.
  • BFD recert dates not available tonight, but are usually in April.
  • VTANG has scheduled a first responder recertification.  The State EMS rules require the District to approve exam proctors.  Sean O’Brien has offered to proctor the VTANG exam.  Motion for District #3 support/approval of Sean O’Brien (Malone/Soons).  (Helmken) I am also available as needed.  (Malone) Other District #3 proctors include Barb Young (Williston) and BC Williams (BFD).
• Other:
  • Pulse Oximetry training – will field test with the current EMT-B course

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (Lindquist) 

• Met tonight to focus on data from Code 2/3 survey.  Will put together a District guideline and offer information that might be useful to all services.
• MCI – still working on review of current plan.
• Code 3 – see above
• Grants – most revolve around MCI preparedness and exercises.
• UVM new UHF frequency published on list serv:
  • Transmit = 468.67500          tx squelch:  DPL, 311
  • Receive = 463.67500           rx squelch:  DPL,311
  • The start date for dispatch function is February 1, 2007; and they will continue to use and monitor their current VHF frequency.

ADMINISTRATION (Soons) 

• Lots of ALS Reports received and forwarded to Dr. James.
• Nominations Committee assembly typically
  • Malone has volunteered.

PUBLIC INFORMATION (Soons) 

• http://www.acep.org/webportal/Advocacy/EMS/Week/default.htm   
• Assemble committee members for 2007 (May 20-27, 2007)
• No offers to spearhead heard.

OLD BUSINESS (Lindquist) 

• None.

NEW BUSINESS (Lindquist) 

• FR-ECA certification exam proctor – under Training, Certification Issues.

Motion to adjourn at 1919 (Soons/Danaher).  Next meeting March 8, 2007. 

Respectfully submitted on February 11, 2007,

Kate Soons, VTEMSD#3 Clerk

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Last updated: February 20, 2007