Ambulance Service Oversight Committee - November 3, 2017 Minutes
Present: Health Officer John Baird, Fire Department Tim Binfet, Sanford Health Jeff Hoss, FM Ambulance Medical Director - Sanford ER Heidi Lako-Adamson, Director of Fargo Cass Public Health Ruth Roman, and F-M Ambulance Sherm Syverson, and Chief of Police David Todd
Absent: Mayor Timothy J. Mahoney
Other: F-M Ambulance Rick Cameron, F-M Ambulance Chad Mickelson, and Concordia College Student Intern Shane Seifert
Ruth Roman called the meeting to order with introductions of Shane Seifert, Concordia College student interning with Jeff Hoss.
Announcements: November 14 was the annual steering committee meeting of Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Addiction. Opioid overuse and more general substance use and abuse areas were covered.
Approval of August 11, 2017 minutes: Dr. Baird made a motion to approve the May 12, 2017 minutes. Jeff Hoss seconded and motion carried.
Data Review, Response Time, and Transport Destination: Jason Eblen, circulated reports that he had matched with the previous reporting. Their data collection software was updated and they only had three weeks to prepare for the transition. Went from 25-30 categories of primary impressions to 300-600. EMS now matches hospital data and takes a lot of training. With this expansion, there is a dilution in the data. Ruth wanted alcohol broken out because is it the number one drug problem in our community. Alcohol and drug use is now separate. Paramedics will have to learn the new impressions. Ruth said we are hoping to start an alternate transportation for detox after the first of the year. Discussed ambulance waived transport, disposition of treatment and transport. Response times are packed in 2 categories and 97 percent or higher for the whole month. Steady increase and one day 124 calls in Fargo Moorhead. Did add a couple of ambulance shifts in February and that has played out pretty well because transport volumes are up a little bit. 911 calls are still the priority. Chad, we are watching the trends for the moving of the emergency rooms.
Other Updates:
Police Department: David Todd said they are going to a new building at the end of this month. Now can revisit the Narcan issue as far as how we go about obtaining that and the best places to keep. FM Ambulance will be happy to help.
Narcan Kits: Dr. Baird displayed the Narcan kits being distributed in the schools. Talked about school training, general public trainings, micro CPR shield, instruction card in kits, and ease of nasal inhaler.
Meeting Schedule for 2018: Distributed copies of 2018 meeting schedule. Discussion on frequency of meetings, getting timely data, maybe only meeting twice a year, or meeting in special session.
Next Meeting Date: February 9, 2018