ADIRONDACK-APPALACHIAN

REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COUNCIL

2920 State Route 30

PO Box 212

Speculator, New York 12164

Telephone (518) 548-3535 * 1-800-952-7367 - FAX Phone (518) 548-7605

e-mail:

www.aarems.org

AAREMS REMAC MEETING

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011

HOLIDAY INN, JOHNSTOWN, NY 12095

[Approved Motions are shown in bold face]

MINUTES

MEMBERS OF REMAC AND STAFF ATTENDING:

William Averill Lewis Jones, RN Philip Mulleedy

Todd Duthaler, DO August Leinhart, MD Gene Pellerin, DO

William Fisher, MD David Markowitz, MD

MEMBERS OF REMAC AND STAFF ABSENT AND EXCUSED:

David Fanion, MD Bonnell Kaido Joyce Mulleedy, RN

Howard Hime Bonnie Looman, RN

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AND GUESTS PRESENT:

Bonnie Burtman, RN Patricia Green, RN Beth McGown

Sidney Chase Stephen Hood Thomas Pasquarelli

Donald Coy Howard Huth, III Elizabeth J. Putman

Jack Farquhar Brian Knapp Michael Swartz

Joseph Farrell Deborah Kufs, RN Gary Wickes

*

Dr. August Leinhart called the meeting to order at 10:35 AM. A voting quorum of physicians was present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 20, 2011 MEETING

The Minutes of the January 20, 2011 meeting had been previously distributed to all members in a timely manner. Dr. Fisher made a Motion that was seconded by Dr. Duthaler, as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the January 20, 2011 meeting are approved as written.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

NEW BUSINESS

Broadalbin Application to Participate in the EMT-B Albuterol Program

Mr. Mulleedy advised that an application had been received from Broadalbin Ambulance to participate in the EMT-B Albuterol program. It had been reviewed and found to be complete. The physicians reviewed the application. Motion was made by Dr. Pellerin and seconded by Dr. Fisher, as follows:

RESOLVED, that the application of the Broadalbin Ambulance to participate in the EMT-B Albuterol program is approved.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

Masonville Application for New Agency Medical Director

Mr. Mulleedy advised that an application had been received from Masonville Ambulance to enlist the services of a new Medical Director, Dr. Yusuf Harper of Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney. It was noted that the appropriate form – Roles and Responsibilities of the Service Medical Director - had been submitted and was properly completed and signed by Dr. Harper. Motion was made by Dr. Duthaler and seconded by Dr. Fisher, as follows:

RESOLVED, that the application of Masonville Ambulance naming Dr. Yusuf Harper as their new agency Medical Director, is approved.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

Scho-Wright Ambulance – Notification of Temporary Change to BLS Status

Mr. Mulleedy advised that Scho-Wright Ambulance had written to notify of their temporary return to BLS level of service, due to the fact of their sole ALS provider being on temporary leave of absence from the agency. No REMAC action was required in connection with this notification.

Revised ALS Protocols - Discussion

The proposed new collaborative ALS protocols had been sent electronically to all AAREMS and REMAC members on February 28. They were re-sent the same way on March 15, to ensure that all would have the opportunity to review them before the meeting. There was discussion on salient points at the meeting, and agreement that they be forwarded to the SEMAC with Regional approval, and notification to the other collaborating Regions.

Motion was made by Dr. Duthaler and seconded by Dr. Fisher, as follows:

RESOLVED, that the collaborative ALS protocols are approved by the AAREMS REMAC for forwarding to the State Medical Advisory Committee (SEMAC), and that REMO and Mountain Lakes Regions be so advised.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

New Business

There was discussion on the development and use of electronic PCRs (ePCRs). Pros and cons of various currently available software programs were presented, and cost-effectiveness was highlighted. A number of those present contributed to the discussion, including Mr. Jones, Mr. Averill and Ms. McGown. Mr. Mulleedy will discuss the ePCR topic at length with appropriate DOH staff and report back at the next meeting of both the REMAC and the Regional Council.

Mr. Pasquarelli asked whether it would be possible for his agency (GAVAC) to submit his members’ six-month CME certifications and procedures in summary form, signed by his agency medical director, instead of by individual folders, as is REMAC policy at present. After brief discussion, the physicians felt this was appropriate, as a time and paper-saving strategy, since there would be no diminishing of QI oversight. Mr. Mulleedy agreed, and noted that this process would probably facilitate data entry at the regional level.

Correspondence

Mr. Mulleedy advised that correspondence which raises issues of a QI nature has been received both by Postal Service and email. It will be discussed in executive session.

Old Business

There was no old business.

Executive Session

REMAC entered into executive session for discussion of QI and personnel issues at 11:20 AM.

Business Following Executive Session

REMAC came back into open session at 12:04 PM. The only business was to entertain a motion for adjournment.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was at 12:04 PM on Motion of Dr. Leinhart.

The next scheduled REMAC meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn in Johnstown on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM, with an AAREMS meeting to follow at the same location on that date at 1:00 PM.

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AAREMS REMAC Minutes for March 17, 2011 Page 3