Ambulance Service Oversight Committee - February 10, 2017 Minutes
Present: Health Officer John Baird, Fire Chief Steve Dirksen, Essentia Health Ken Krupich, FM - Ambulance Medical Director - Sanford ER Heidi Lako-Adamson, Mayor Timothy J. Mahoney, Director of Fargo Cass Public Health Ruth Roman, and F-M Ambulance Sherm Syverson
Absent: Sanford Health Susan Jarvis and Chief of Police David Todd
Excused: Veterans Administration Julianna Lindgren
Other: F-M Ambulance Rick Cameron, F-M Ambulance Jason Eblen, F-M Ambulance Kathy Lonski, and F-M Ambulance Chad Mickelson
Ruth Roman called the meeting to order.
Announcements: Kathy Lonski, Heart Smart Communities will be at West Acres tomorrow.
Approval of November 4, 2016 minutes: Steve Dirksen made a motion to approve the November 4,
2016 meeting minutes. Ken Krupich seconded and motion carried.
Data Review, Response Time Comparison and Response Time Comparison: Jason Eblen said November was the busiest month ever with December and January being busy as well. Discussed new schedule implemented in January, nine ambulances on the street to meet the demand of more facility transfers, peak volumes, and full capacity of hospitals for last two months. Kathy Lonski said we are working on some documentation so Jason can record some different data points on when we actually saw a patient.
New Hospital Opening and Plans for High Priority Patient Transportation: Ruth added this agenda item. Talked about north and south transports and looking at Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead. Discussed keeping patient care needs in mind for transports, formatting scripting, time sensitive patients, and following state guidelines. A subcommittee will be formed to help facilitate this process.
Response to Opioid Crisis: Dr. Baird is on the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Addiction that continues to meet and is working in many areas. Discussed treatment options, clearing house for information sharing, and coordinated community education messaging. Testified at the North Dakota legislature on a needle exchange program. Discussed the Good Samaritan law. Jason said that 65 patients were treated with Narcan by the ambulance crews in 2015 and 99 patients in 2016. Fire department dispensed Narcan to 13 patients in 2016. Dr. Baird asked if we had a way to track families that is giving Narcan. Would like to track how much Narcan is given in the community. Dr. Baird discussed a phone app that tracks if someone has Narcan in your vicinity like Pulse Point so it speaks to the nations concern for this issue.
Next Meeting Date: May 12, 2017