Agenda
EMS Advisory Board Meeting
August18,2010
Montgomery, Alabama
2:00 p.m.
Call to Order Melissa Costello, M.D.
Roll Call Stephanie Payne
Review of Minutes – March 11, 2010 Melissa Costello, M.D.
EMS Rules Revision Melissa Costello, M.D.
Next Meeting. Melissa Costello, M.D.
Adjournment Melissa Costello, M.D.
Minutes of the EMS Advisory Board Meeting
March 11, 2010
Montgomery, Alabama
Members Present:
Melissa Costello, M.D., Chairperson, Medical Association of the State of Alabama William Hewitt, Co-Chairman, Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs
John McMahon, Jr., M.D., American College of Emergency Physicians-Alabama Chapter Mayor Wess Etheredge, Alabama Council on EMS
Joe Acker, Alabama Council on EMS
David Garmon, Alabama EMS Education Committee Marvin Green, Alabama Firefighters Association
Jon Howell, Alabama Association of Ambulance Services Helen Wilson, Alabama State Nurses Association
James Morgan, Alabama Society of Health Systems Pharmacists James Register, Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments Max Armstrong, Alabama Association of Emergency Managers
Don Wilson, Professional Firefighters Association
Captain Jack Clark, Alabama Department of Public Safety Johnny Warren, Alabama Association of Rescue Squads
Members Absent:
Donald Williamson, M.D., State Health Officer, Ex-Officio Member William Crawford, M.D., State Committee of Public Health
Marva Gipson, Alabama League of Municipalities
Michael Callahan, Alabama Hospital Association
Terry Henderson, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs George Conner, Alabama Department of Transportation
Ann Klasner, M.D., Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Sherry Melton, M.D., Alabama State Committee on Trauma
Judge Ronnie Osborn, Association of County Commissions
Doran Stamps, Alabama Chapter of Emergency Nurses Association
Others Present:
Dennis Blair, Alabama Department of Public Health Gary Mackey, Alabama Department of Public Health Stephen Wilson, Alabama Department of Public Health Chris Lochte, Alabama Department of Public Health Stephanie Payne, Alabama Department of Public Health Johnnie Sue Hopper, Childersburg Ambulance
Denise Louthain, Southeast Alabama EMS
Kathy Gillison-Parker, East Alabama EMS
Glenn Davis, West Alabama EMS
Minutes of the EMS Advisory Board Meeting
Page 2
March 11,2010
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Melissa Costello, M.D., Chairperson.
II. Roll Call
The roll was called by Stephanie Payne. A quorum was established with 15 members present.
III. Review of Minutes
A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the October 29, 2009, meeting as distributed. The motion carried unanimously.
IV. EMS Update
Dennis Blair provided an overview of the EMS activities at the state level. He stated that Gary Mackey was appointed EMS Deputy Director, after the recent retirement of Russell Crowley. Mr. Blair reported that the proposed EMS bill passed in the House of Representatives and it is currently in the Senate. The statewide trauma system is operational in five of the six EMS regions. The Southeast region may be operational within the next few months. Mr. Blair stated that he would attend a National Registry meeting on March 15, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio. One of the issues to be addressed would be a proposed amnesty program which would grant amnesty to any currently licensed EMT who has ever held national registry certification. The national registry status would be restored and, as long as the EMT retains an active license, he or she would not be required to challenge national registry again. Mr. Blair concluded by stating that the EMS rules were being revised to include updates and language from the new bill, if it is passed.
V. EMS Rules Revision
Dr. Costello stated that a workgroup of members from the rescue squads, professional and volunteer EMS services, and professional and volunteer firefighter services, were tasked to revise the current EMS rules. The board discussed the following recommendations as presented by the rules workgroup:
1. Any reference to convalescence ambulances would be removed.
2. DNAR would be removed from the rules and referenced in the protocols.
3. Behavioral issues, as they relate to an impaired EMS Personnel (EMSP) would be defined.
4. A definition of air ambulance would be added.
EMS Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Page 3
March 11,2010
5. The definition for “licensed ambulance driver” would be removed. ADPH would no longer license EMT-Drivers, but the Emergency Vehicle Operators Course would still be required through the service provider. All EMT -Drivers would be required to possess a valid United States driver’s license.
6. A definition for Advanced EMT would be added.
7. Definitions for “intra-hospital” and “inter-facility” transfers would be added.
8. Approved variances would be reviewed every year.
9. ALS air transport (helicopter only) would be added as a category of EMS provider services.
10. The highest level EMT would be required to provide care in emergency situations and Basic EMTS would provide care in appropriate transfer situations.
11. The response time to an initial emergency medical dispatch for air medical transport would be defined.
12. ALS transport services would be required to provide a written roster with at least six licensed EMSP. A minimum of three of these EMSP must be at the level of licensure for the service. For non-transport, one EMSP should be at the level of licensure for the service.
13. The language on accident reporting would be reviewed.
14. The language on emergency response would be reviewed.
15. The language on radio communication would be reviewed.
16. Patient transfer section would be removed from the rules and placed in the protocols.
17. Under EMSP Testing, the NIMS courses would be required as standard training but the specific courses would not be listed.
18. The high school diploma or G.E.D. requirement for admittance into the EMS program would be reviewed further. A variance request would be submitted for students enrolled in a dual enrollment EMT basic course.
19. CEU requirements for EMSP would be the same as the national registry requirements of 48 hours for paramedics, 36 hours for intermediates, and 24 hours for basics. ACLS and pediatric education would also be required. The option to have the regional agencies teach these courses would be reviewed.
20. The equipment list would be revised to require a short spine board with a minimum of two sets of straps which may include shoulder straps for cots.
21. As approved by SEMCC, all ALS services would be given a three-year deadline, June 2013, to obtain waveform quantitative capnography and 12-lead ECG capability.
22. Syrup of ipecac would be removed from the required equipment list.
23. An AED would be listed as a required item for BLS licensed transport services.
Minutes of the EMS Advisory Board Meeting
Page 4
March 11, 2010
Joe Acker suggested that geriatric education be considered as a required component of EMS education, since 65 percent of patients comprise this group. Mr. Blair responded that he would raise this issue during the next NREMT meeting. He also reported that the Alabama Department of Public Health has been asked to consider licensing first responders. This request would be reviewed by the state EMS office. Mr. Blair informed the board that the state legislature is not in favor of electronic voting, but the board can set-up its own proxy voting requirements. After discussion of the proposed rule changes, the board agreed to allow the rules workgroup to develop a final draft which would be presented at the next meeting.
VI. Next Meeting
The board agreed to delay scheduling the next meeting pending the outcome of the proposed EMS bill.
VII. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
APPROVED:
Melissa Costello, M.D., Chairperson EMS Advisory Board
Date
