The October meeting of the Bayfield-Ashland Counties EMS Council was called to order by Gary Victorson, Vice President of the Council. The meeting was held in the Board Room of MMC/Ashland.

Motion made by Del Jerome, seconded by Teresa Gunderson, to approve the minutes of the September/Annual meeting as written. Motion carried.

Jan Victorson announced that Dean was unable to attend due to personal business.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

MDAC (Medical Director Advisory Committee) – John Schulz, medical director, reported that MDAC has received word that the state has approved the Spinal Clearance Guideline as was submitted. Bruce Gordon, state medical director, has reviewed the guideline carefully and thinks it is a good product. He will be especially interested in the QA portion of the project.

Motion made by Teresa Gunderson, seconded by Tam Hofman, to accept the Spinal Immobilization Guideline as a Standard Operating Guideline for the Council. Motion carried.

Discussion related to training of EMTs. A training session for directors and interested others will be held on December 16^th. QA (Quality Assurance) will be conducted on all cleared and immobilized patients. The QA will not become a part of the patient records and becomes protected information. A consistent approach to the paperwork will be developed and shared at the training session. Copies of all ambulance run reports should be made and left in the EMS room.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR REPORT – Dr. John reported that the American Heart Association (AHA) has adopted a pediatric AED standard that includes use of adult pads on kids if that is all that is available.

MARK I KITS – Each ambulance received three Mark I kits per ambulance. In-house training program and self-care guideline was also included. Discussion about additional resources available within several hours in case of a mass casualty incident.

INTERCEPTS – Dr. John reported that he is seeing an improvement in the time interval between page and intercept requests. Discussion about future programs that may depend upon early 12 lead EKG patient assessment and catheter lab intervention within 90 minutes. Lengthy discussion of related concerns including not being trained to make decisions based on words, liability, expense of requests when not needed (price of doing business), dispatcher involvement in the request, skill level of EMT-Basic, Ashland back off when assessed to be a BLS transport, public education, EMTs calling more – are they needed more, predetermine safe intercept sites, calling wolf, transfer of patients during intercepts, possible guidelines for intercept locations, etc.

Gold Cross policy states that intercepts can be completed with paramedic on board BLS ambulance or transferring patient to the Gold Cross Ambulance. Dr. John suggested that the local EMT should make that call – keep rig in service, weather conditions, patient condition, safety aspect, best interest for the patients, time delay in transfer, etc.

ETOH – Dr. John expressed concern about responders being intoxicated and protecting EMTs and patients. He suggests that the Council develop a policy. Several ambulance providers have policies in place.

ON CALL SCHEDULE – Dr. John brought up the issue of formal on-call schedules. He understands that providing ambulance service to citizens is a town/municipal responsibility and offers to be a creative antagonist in communities as needed. Discussion.

NEXT MEETING – The next Council meeting will be held at MMC on November 29^th.

MDAC – 6:30 PM

Council – 7:30 PM

Motion made by Dan Clark, seconded by Chuck Elton, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

IN ATTENDANCE

Ron Brendalen Mellen

Merrilee Carlson MMC EMS Coordinator

Sherri Carlson Washburn

Dan Clark Washburn

Dan Diamon Gold Cross

Chuck Elton Washburn

Teresa Gunderson Mason

Tam Hofman South Shore

Ed Hofstrand SMDC/Lifeflight

Del Jerome Barnes

Mike LaGrew Red Cliff

John Schulz Medical Director

Gary Victorson Iron River

Jan Victorson Bayfield County EM