Agenda - 08-30-2012 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services 52 DRAFT REPORT and 911/Communications Center Operations Study The objective of course in adjusting the coverage hours of Medic 5 and 8 is to increase the availability of ambulances and decrease the number of "move-ups' that must be ordered on a daily basis. Call data and corresponding move-up information will need to be closely maintained in order to assess the effectiveness of the shift adjustments. The data collected will need to include information specific to each Medic Unit individually, including those already in place. The minimum information collected, collated and distributed for review on at least a monthly basis should include at least • The number of calls dispatched per day, week, and month • The total event time of each call • The number times "move-ups"were ordered per day,week, and month • The time of day the each move-up was ordered and its duration Monthly summary reports of Medic Unit activities should be reviewed by at least the EMS Operations Director, the Medical Director, and the Emergency Services Director. A comprehensive assessment of the progress made towards improving ambulance availability should occur if it determined that the coverage adjustments are not having the desired impact, however, no later than the end of the sixth month of operation. R-2.OCEMS should add an additional ALS Ambulance 9:00 am-9:00 pm, 12 hours/day,7 days/week. Adjusting the coverage hours of two Medic Units will certainly help reduce the number of"move-ups"; i.e. the number of times per day that available ambulances are down to one (1) or "no" ambulances. If, however, after no more than six (6) months of the enhanced prime-time coverage the number of "move-ups has not been reduced by at least two-thirds (from an average of 6.5/day to no more than 2/day) efforts should be made to immediately bring on-line a fully staffed and equipped ALS ambulance assigned to the 9:00 am-9:00 pm hours, 7 days/week. R-3a. Utilize available SORS/BLS ambulance for non-emergency patient transports. R-3b.OCEMS should bring on line and staff a BLS ambulance to provide non-emergency patient transports. The concept suggested by this recommendation utilizes a BLS staffed ambulance to provide patient transportation (via ambulance) in non-life threatening circumstances. The basis being that ALS Medic Units would of course respond to all calls dispatched, however, rather than then having to transport the patient; i.e. travel to the hospital with the patient, and spend time at the hospital until released, they could return to "in-service" status and be available to respond to another call much sooner. The reason for there being a "part a" and a "part b" to this recommendation is that they represent two options to accomplish this time saving effort to increase ambulance availability. If South Orange Rescue Squad (SORS), which is essentially a volunteer organization, cannot provide an ambulance and certified EMT personnel, and the concept is considered viable by the County, OCEMS should provide the ambulance and personnel to do so. Note that while not addressed specifically in the wording of the recommendation it is assumed that the referenced prime-time hours would be the target time this BLS unit would be assigned. However, should EMS recognize call time/call volume or noticeable trends regarding patient transports that vary from those times, it should be able to assign and schedule the unit accordingly. Solutions for Local Government,Inc. 50