Western Mass Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc.

 

Meeting:                     Physicians Council

Date:                           May 9, 2002

Place:                          East Wing 2 Conference Room, CDH, Northampton

Presiding:                   Dr. Sutton, Chairperson

Called to Order:         9:10 am              

Adjourned:                  9:57 am

 

Attendance:

 

Present –Dr. Durkin, Dr. Fay, Dr. Hayden, Dr. Mausel and Dr. Sutton

Excused – Dr. Dinneen and Dr.Gutterman      

Absent – Dr. Sabatelli  

Proxy – Dr. Conway   

Guests – Dawn Josefski

 

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 was handed out. April was down in time compared to last year but overall we were up in hours for the year-to-year comparison. Dr. Durkin stated that most of the diversion is due to an outflow problem, no place to put patients.  There was a brief discussion of a patient transfer problem and it was clarified that Baystate Medical Center does not have to accept transfer patients if they have no beds available unless they fit the trauma criteria.

Action- None

           

New Business

 

Ludlow Fire P/B Waiver Renewal Request:

                Discussion-

Copies of the P/B renewal packet were sent around for review.  Motion was made to recommend approval of Ludlow Fire P/B waiver renewal.

Action- Ms. Josefski to bring forward the recommendation at Regional Council.

 

Standards for Medical Direction and Oversight:

A copy of the draft document was distributed. There was a lengthy discussion. Some of the points mentioned were:

-         (2.0.3) Successful completion of a Protocol exam for on-line medical control physicians.

-          (3.9) To provide minimum of 24 hours of educational programs per year…

Copies will be mailed to all Region One hospital CEOs for their review and comment. There will be a “stakeholder” meeting on Friday June 14th at Mass Medical Society in Waltham. Any comments can be forwarded to OEMS c/o Dr. Erdos.

 

            Action- The office to mail draft document to CEOs.

Regional Point of Entry Plan:

Berkshire Medical Center is in the process of becoming verified as a Level 3 Trauma Center. Due to the unique geography of Berkshire County and the limited amount of Paramedic services, most trauma patients will be best served by transport to Berkshire Medical Center for initial treatment and stabilization instead of a lengthy transport to Baystate, Albany Medical Center or another Level 1 Trauma Center. Currently most services utilize the aero-medical transport appropriately per field triage criteria and medical control consultation. We need to amend our Regional plans to include this option for the Berkshire Medical Center area services.

 

            Action- Update the Region One Point of Entry and Trauma Triage Plan.

 

Next Meeting:

The next meeting will be held on June 10, 2002 at 9:00 am.  This meeting will be held in East Wing 2 Conference Room.

 

Adjourn:  A motion was made to adjourn at 9:57 am. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.                                                                

 

Dawn Josefski, Recorder