Ambulance Advisory Committee

AMBULANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES February 16, 2012 9:00 AM Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Kerran Vigroux AAC Members Present: Kerran Vigroux, Director of Public Health & Community Services Justin Kates, Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Bukunt, Nashua Police Department Richard Conway, Nashua Fire Department Fran Dupuis, St. Joseph’s Hospital Mark Hastings, Southern NH Medical Center AMR Representatives: Christopher Stawasz, AMR Operations Manager Roland Vaillancourt, AMR Operations Manager Public Present: None Motion made to accept the Minutes from the December 2011 meeting: Richard Conway accepted the motion Fran Dupuis seconded the motion All in Favor – Unanimous Minutes Approved Members were given an updated Member List, Meeting Minutes for the December 2011 and January 2012 meetings, the AMR Reports for December 2011 and January 2012 with attachments and an Agenda for the February 16th meeting. Kerran Vigroux  Discussed calls that have been received by her regarding AMR invoices o Further questions from patients have been referred to Chris Stawasz Chris Stawasz  Brendan McNiff wasn’t able to make today’s meeting, so Chris will explain the billing questions. o AMR billing statements are different in that they look like a physician’s statement; however, they are really the same.  Medicare pays 80% and the patient pays 20%  Medicare consists of two parts: Medicare Part A covers in-patient expenses, and Medicare Part B covers out-patient and ambulance  It is illegal to waive the 20% co-pay o Chris Stawasz and Roland Vaillancourt are the AMR contacts for the Compassionate Care Program, which helps set up payment plans when necessary. Kerran Vigroux called on Chris Stawasz to present the January 2012 AMR Report  We were a little slower than normal this month, maybe in part due to the weather.  EMT-Refreshers for Nashua Fire Rescue still in progress, and will be completed in early February. o Certification lasts two years.  Medication Shortages o This shortage spreads across the country; not just New Hampshire  Reasons are unknown o Mark Hastings and Fran added that this shortage is affecting both hospitals  AMR donated an AED to the Nashua Police Athletic League’s Ash Street Community Center this month, and will also provide no cost training to the staff of PAL. o Additional donations are planned during the upcoming months  Coordinated with the staff of Dartmouth Hitchcock to tour their new facility in order to plan for emergencies  AMR staff is coordinating with the staff of Keystone Hall to familiarize crews with the new facility, its capabilities and transportation needs.  AMR is participating in the City of Nashua Community Health Assessment leadership committee.  Delivery of MCI trailer is complete and is currently being set up and stocked. o Scheduled deployment is prior to March 31, 2012.  Computer terminal and software have been installed at the Nashua Fire Rescue dispatch to allow their dispatchers to track the AMR Nashua 9-1-1 vehicles in real time, which would be a change in procedure. o Ongoing discussion with NFR about enhancing pre-alert procedures.  Awaiting approval from the Command Staff of NFR   Patient Satisfaction Surveys o At this time there is not enough data to provide a meaningful report. o Kerran suggested that this be reviewed at every other meeting.  There will be an update at the April meeting  Application process for AMR Nashua CAAS accreditation has been submitted, and it is expected that they will vote on the disposition of our application at their next meeting. o Kerran will notify the community and the Mayor regarding a ceremony.  The process to develop, plan and perform the first of the required annual training exercises of the EMS Function Group will begin in late February. o Required every two years o May be able to coordinate with NRF and DW exercise  Updated certificates of insurance and a copy of AMR’s renewed NH State EMS Transport License were forwarded to the City as required.  All AMR units now have real time GPS map finding capability as well as touch screen call information and updating capability.  AMR will be upgrading its patient care report software to the newest version (MEDSIII) available during March and April.  Beginning in February 2012, AMR has invited the Emergency Medical Directors and EMS Managers of both Nashua hospitals to regularly attend their monthly Nashua AMR leadership meetings.  2012 QI goals have been established to monitor clinical performance of AMR’s caregivers. o Discussed the new LUCAS II CPR device and its reliability, as well as its acceptance and understanding in the community.  There were no questions regarding the December 2011 AMR report. Kerran asked for any additional questions or comments. There were none. There was no Public Session, as no one from the public was in attendance. Requested motion to adjourn: Fran Dupuis moved to adjourn the meeting. Richard Conway seconded the motion. Meeting ended at 9:50 a.m. The next AAC Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 9:00 a.m., at the City of Nashua Public Health and Community Services building, located at 18 Mulberry Street, Nashua. Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Scacco Administrative Assistant II City of Nashua