Western Mass Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc.

Meeting: Physicians Council

Date: April 11, 2002

Place: East Wing 2 Conference Room, CDH, Northampton

Presiding: Dr. Dinneen, Chairperson

Called to Order: 9:13 am

Adjourned: 10:26 am

Attendance:

Present – Dr. Conway, Dr. Dinneen, Dr. Durkin, Dr. Fay, Dr.Gutterman, Dr. Mausel, Ms. Maxwell PA-C and Dr. Sutton

Excused – Dr. Hayden and Dr. Noonan

Absent – Dr. Sabatelli

Guests – Dawn Josefski and Linda Moriarty

Conflict of Interest Statement: The chairperson opened the meeting with a conflict of interest statement. No one present had any conflicts to divulge for any items on the agenda.

Minutes: A motion was made to accept minutes as written. This was seconded and approved unanimously.

Old Business

Diversion Report:

Discussion –

A diversion report for Region 1 Hospitals during the month of March was handed out.March has been the worst month so far. The state diversion website is operational and Mr. Cote from WMEMS is updating it when hospitals go on diversion in Region One. Within the next month or so the Springfield CMED will have Internet access and update the State diversion website upon receiving the calls from the hospitals. We will continue to call hospitals and services. There was a brief discussion pertaining to the overall state of healthcare.

Action- None

New Business

AMR P/B Waiver Renewal Request:

Discussion-

Copies of the P/B renewal packet were sent around for review by members. Dr. Conway spoke in support of the AMR waiver request. It was noted that the Northampton station is primarily P/I as well as the Springfield one. Motion was made to recommend approval of AMR P/B waiver renewal. Motion passed with one abstention, Ms. Maxwell.

Action- Dr. Conway to bring forward the recommendation to Regional Council.

County Ambulance P/B Waiver Renewal Request:

Discussion-

Copies of the P/B renewal packet were sent around for review by members. It was noted that County has attempted to increase their staffing but there is a shortage of Paramedics in Berkshire County. Motion was made to recommend approval of County P/B waiver renewal. Motion passed unanimously.

Action- Dr. Conway to bring forward the recommendation to Regional Council.

Amiodarone:

Dan Harrington, from Berkshire Medical Center, requested that this committee review the medical control option in the VT with Pulse (1.11) statewide protocol. The AHA ACLS guidelines differ in regard to the dose given to VT with pulse. Our protocols say 150-300 mg in 10 cc NS over 1-2 mins while ACLS states 150 mg over 10 mins. After brief discussion it was decided that we should be following the AHA ACLS guidelines and have the paramedics administer Amiodarone over 10 mins for VT with Pulse.

Action- Ms. Josefski to notify OEMS.

Valium:

As was mentioned at the last meeting the shortage of valium is now confirmed.

Action-.

FYI:

Ms. Josefski reported that the office had been contacted by the Noble Hospital pharmacy in regards to a possible shortage of Valium. No one present had heard anything.

FYI:

Next Meeting:

The next meeting will be held on April 11, 2002 at 9:00 am. This meeting will be held in East Wing 2 Conference Room.

Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn at 9:56 am. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Dawn Josefski, Recorder