Agenda - 06-21-1999 - 8o - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orange County 1 Board of Commissioners Date: June 21, 1999 Action Agenda Item No _ 8 & Subject: EMS Medical Director Contract Renewal Department: Emergency Management - EMS Public Hearing Yes F-� No Attachment(s): Information Contact: Nick Waters 1) Contract Extension Number: 3030 Telephone Number: Hillsborough 732 -818 -1 Chapel Hill 968 -4501 Mebane 336 -227 -2031 Durham 688 -7331 Purpose: To consider renewing an agreement between Orange County and UNC Hospitals concerning medical direction of Orange County's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. Background Orange County provides an Advanced Life Support (ALS) EMS service. Under State regulations, a County providing that level of service must function under a Medical Director at the sponsor hospital. The County receives medical direction through UNC Hospitals by Dr. Greg Mears. The role of the medical director has changed dramatically in the past two years. The Medical Director's responsibilities include providing training, monitoring and protocols for the emergency medical dispatch program at 9 -1 -1. The Medical Director performs quality assurance reviews and approves telecommunicators for certification. The Medical Director establishes the level of practice for the first responders and the training requirements for them to operate automatic defibrillators. Each first responder must be annually trained and tested in defibrillation. The Medical Director determines the standard of care and appropriate treatment protocols for the paramedics. The Medical Director must provide training, skill proficiency and evaluation of technician performance for the Initial Response Paramedics. The agreement with the Hospital also requires that the Medical Director has an appropriate number of assistant medical directors to assure availability at all times. The Medical Director serves as a consultant for the Paramedics in the field, on patient care issues. The Medical Director meets weekly with EMS staff to provide consultation and review of medical issues.