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 20, 2014

Holiday Inn, Johnstown, NY 12095

[Approved Motions are shown in bold face]

MINUTES

MEMBERS OF REMAC AND STAFF ATTENDING:

Sidney Chase Thomas Isenovski, MD Joyce Mulleedy, RN

William Fisher, MD August Leinhart, MD Philip Mulleedy

Patricia Green, RN David Markowitz, MD Thomas Pasquarelli

MEMBERS OF REMAC AND STAFF ABSENT AND EXCUSED:

David Fanion, MD Howard Hime Lewis Jones, RN

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AND GUESTS PRESENT:

Tony Agresta Steve Hood Deb Kufs, RN

Sidney Chase Howard Huth, III Beth McGown

Jack Farquhar Richard Kersmanc Mary Ramo

Joe Farrell Brian Knapp Margaret Wilson

*

The meeting was called to order at 10:36 AM, by Chairman Dr. August Leinhart. A voting quorum was present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 16, 2014 MEETING

All members had received the January 16, 2014 Minutes in a timely fashion by email. They were published on the Regional web site and copies were also available today for all wishing to review them. Motion was made by Dr. Markowitz and seconded by Dr. Leinhart, as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the January 16, 2014 meeting are approved as written.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

At this point, Dr. Thomas Isenovski, the new ED Director at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, was welcomed to the meeting. Dr. Isenovski is being nominated to join the REMAC physicians as a representative of that hospital.

NEW BUSINESS

Approval of New Medical Directors for Kortright and Sidney Center

Mr. Mulleedy advised that communications have been received from the Kortright and Sidney Center agencies requesting REMAC approval for their proposed new agency medical directors – Dr. Peter Sosnow for Kortright and Dr. Thomas Cruz for Sidney Center. The “Role and Responsibilities” forms have been completed by both physicians. After brief discussion, Motion was made by Dr. Markowitz, and seconded by Dr. Leinhart, as follows:

RESOLVED, that Dr. Peter Sosnow is approved as agency medical director for the Kortright Rural Emergency Squad, and Dr. Thomas Cruz is approved as agency medical director for the Sidney Center Emergency Squad.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

Process for AAREMS Agencies to Enter the BLS CPAP Program?

Since Mary Ramo had to leave the room to take a phone call, this discussion was postponed until later in the agenda. When it was discussed, it was noted that the Finger Lakes Region is still leading this pilot program. However, any agency in AAREMS that wishes REMAC approval to begin BLS CPAP training should send a letter to the regional office with that request. The letter should be signed by the agency medical director as well as an agency officer. After REMAC approval, the agency is free to complete training and initiate the program, with the provision that all data collection should be shared with the Finger Lakes Region for statistical purposes. A number of those present took part in this discussion.

Approval for Oneonta State Emergency Squad to Begin Use of Intranasal Naloxone

A written request has been received from Dr. Todd Bitterman, medical director for the Oneonta State Emergency Squad (a BLS First Responder agency), for the agency to enter the Intranasal Naloxone program. After some discussion, Motion was made by Dr. Fisher and seconded by Dr. Markowitz, as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Oneonta State Emergency Squad is authorized to begin the use of intranasal Naloxone, after all appropriate training has been concluded.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

Controlled Substance Operating Plans Received from Richmondville, Milford and Edmeston – Informational and For Approval Consideration.

Copies of the proposed controlled substance operating plans have been received from the Richmondville, Edmeston and Milford agencies. They were reviewed by the REMAC physicians. It was noted that REMAC approval for such plans is not a mandatory part of the planning process as required by DOH. After some review, it was noted that the Richmondville plan does not yet include the necessary signatures, so decision was made by the REMAC physicians to postpone a decision on that plan. Motion was made as follows:

RESOLVED, that the proposed controlled substance operating plans of the Milford Fire Department Emergency Squad and the Edmeston Emergency Squad are approved by this REMAC.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

Sharon Springs Now Operating at BLS Level - Informational Only

Word has been received from the Sharon Springs Rescue Squad that they are now operating at the BLS level, since they no longer have any ALS personnel.

Primary Operating Territory Newly Defined for Summit and Stamford

Mr. Mulleedy advised that both the Summit Fire District Rescue Squad and Stamford Fire Department EMS have received newly defined primary operating territories from DOH. This has occurred since they are both municipally operated agencies, and according to the General Municipal Law may not operate outside of municipal boundaries unless they are functioning under a contract or similar agreement with neighboring areas.

Raquette Lake Application to resume ALS (Paramedic) Level of Service

An application has been received from the Raquette Lake Volunteer Ambulance Squad to resume ALS service at the Paramedic level. The agency was recently reorganized under the ownership of a not-for-profit corporation, and as a result, has to reapply to resume former levels of service. Motion was made by Dr. Markowitz, and seconded by Dr. Fisher, as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Raquette Lake Volunteer Ambulance Squad is authorized to resume the provision of Advanced Life Support services at the Paramedic level.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

Ways to Increase Electronic Availability of DOH BLS Protocols - Discussion

A request has been received from the Cooperstown Fire Department Emergency Squad for suggestions on how to make the DOH statewide BLS protocols available to users of IPhones, IPads and similar portable devices. It was noted that the regional collaborative protocols are already so available, and will shortly be developed for use in Android™ formatted devices as well. There was discussion, and it was noted that the BLS protocols have been updated by DOH on more than one occasion, with the revised sections available on the DOH EMS website in PDF format. Mr. Mulleedy advised that an IT specialist of his acquaintance will be working to present these protocols in an updated version as a PowerPoint display. There will be a link to this display on our regional web site as soon as the work is complete. This link will available without cost.

Any Other New Business, as May be Appropriate

A request has been received from the Oneonta Fire Department Ambulance to begin use of BLS intranasal Narcan. Brian Knapp advised that agency training of BLS personnel is now complete, with full approval of the agency medical director.

Motion was made by Dr. Leinhart, and seconded by Dr. Markowitz, as follows:

RESOLVED that the City of Oneonta Fire Department Ambulance is approved to begin the use of BLS Intranasal Narcan.

This was adopted unanimously, with no abstentions.

Correspondence

Mr. Mulleedy advised that an executive session is needed to discuss certain QI issues, in connection with correspondence received.

Old Business

Update on Any Protocol Feedback (None Received in the Regional Office)

There was none.

Any Other Old Business as May be Appropriate

There was none.

Executive Session

REMAC entered into executive session for discussion of QI and personnel issues at 10:56 AM.

Business Following Executive Session

REMAC came back into open session at 11:15 AM. The only business was a motion to adjourn.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment was at 11:15 AM on Motion of Dr. Leinhart.

The next scheduled REMAC meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn in Johnstown on Thursday, May 15, 2014 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 20, 2014 Page 3