Agenda - 09-15-1998 - 8d - Laserfiche WebLink

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t ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 15, 1998 Action Agenda Item No. $ - d SUBJECT: Reallocation of Capital Funds for Purchase of 12-Lead Monitor Defibrillators DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) "`` BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/1~ ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 9/10/98 Memo from Emergency Management Nick Waters, ext 3030 Director TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider approving a reallocation of 1998-99 capital funds to purchase 12-lead monitor defibrillators for use by EMS personnel. BACKGROUND: The 1998-99 approved CIP includes $80,000 in funding to purchase a replacement ambulance. During formulation of the 1998-99 capital and operating budgets, serious consideration was given to including funding for the lease or lease purchase of six new monitor defibrillators for use by County paramedics. These devices reflect the newest technology in the treatment and monitoring of cardiac patients by paramedics in out-of hospital situations (on scene and during ambulance transport). Given overall budget constraints, funds were ultimately not included in the 1998-99 recommended budget for these machines. The Director of Emergency Management and the EMS Medical Director have recommended that the funding budgeted for ambulance replacement be reallocated to allow the purchase of four (4) 12-lead monitor defibrillators, which would be assigned to the County's Initial Response Vehicles (IRVs). It is their assessment that the enhanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities that will be realized through the use of these machines will lead to better overall outcomes for cardiac patients in Orange County, which is consistent with the main objective of the County's EMS Strategic Plan. They therefore recommend that the planned ambulance replacement be postponed, and plans to acquire four new monitor defibrillators be initiated. The EMS Advisory Council concurred with this recommendation at their August 26, 1998 meeting. Funding for ambulance replacement and two additional monitor defibrillators will be considered during the development of the 1999-2009 CIP later this fiscal year. Explanation of the medical benefits of this acquisition and the rationale for the proposed reallocation of funds are presented in the attached memorandum.