Informational Meeting

MINUTES Informational Meeting Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 4:00 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Council Members Present: Janet Brekke (Via telecom), Rick Kiley (Via telecom), Greg Neitzert, Marshall Selberg (arr. 4:10 p.m.), Curt Soehl, Pat Starr Council Members Absent: Christine M. Erickson and Theresa Stehly Council Vice Chair Greg Neitzert called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. 2. City Council Open Discussion There was none. 3. Presentations A. EMS Annual Update and Rate Increase by Alicia Collura, Assistant Director of Public Health Presentation: Approximately 20 minutes followed by discussion Alicia Collura, Assistant Director of Public Health, provided an overview of the areas of compliance and explained that the Ambulance Contract Performance Report was reviewed by REMSA. She also discussed the forthcoming ordinance, also approved by REMSA, which would reflect rate increases pursuant to the franchise agreement. Mike Bureau, Chief Operation Officer, next provided an in-depth review of Patient Care EMS contract performance for the past year. He reminded the Council that Patient Care EMS remains accredited by the Commission on Acceditation of Ambulances and is presently the only such accredited service in South Dakota. The current accreditation is through October of 2022. Patient Care EMS is also a Gold Plus Member of Mission Lifeline, a collaborative effort with the American Heart Association. Before discussing key performance indicators, he reviewed the company's COVID-19 response here in Sioux Falls and the region. They had approximately 1,000 contacts including known positive and suspected patients; maintained appropriate levels of PPE throughout the peak; were contracted by the State to provide transport for COVID-19 positive patients from critical access hosptials to large healthcare systems; increased their available vehicle count to 12 for the peak, and added Tyvek and PAPR training for their employees in case of need. The average time on-scene for heart attack patients was 14 minutes, 13 minutes for trauma patients, and 13 minutes for stroke patients. As part of the Cardiac Arrest  Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES), Sioux Falls non-traumatic cardiac survival was 15% compared to all CARES data. Additionally, Sioux Falls witnessed cardiac arrest of cardiac etiology with a rhythm that can be helped with defibrillation was 56% survival compared to 33% all CARES. Patient satisfaction remained high throughout the year with the exception of April, where there was a noticable dip in satisfied and very satisfied respondents. Bureau indicated that the independent survey revealed the dip is attributable to COVID-19 insofar as respondents felt the steps taken and PPE worn made the service appear less personable. He noted that satisfaction rates increased again in May. Exemption trends continued on a path similar to previous years, with most attributable to system overload and weather. Outliers trended similarly with a high of 4 in July and a low of zero in January and February. No outliers were for Priority 1 calls. Priority 1 and Priority 2 calls remained above the 90% minimum emergency response time, with all months at 98% or greater. Priority 3 calls trended from 97% to 99% percent, and Priority 4 calls were generally at 100% compliance with one exception (January) of 97% and Priority 5 calls varied between 99% and 100%. In terms of employee engagement, Bureau indicated that satisfaction was lower than normal this year. The decreased levels were attributable, in large part, to changes in systemwide protocols, corporate change, and technology. He indicated that steps are already being taken this year to address these concerns, particularly with technology since the company is replacing its fleet of ambulances. Lastly, he noted their headquarters location will change from its current site to one off Russell St. He stated this will add an additional 11,000 square feet of building space to house the EMS School, improve repair and maintenance facilities, and allow for a more centralized location in the City, particularly closer to central Sioux Falls. Discussion followed about: Tyvek and PAPR training; the decrease in satisfaction in April due to COVID; employee engagement; medical inflation; COVID testing; and, the company's current PPE policy. B. Monthly COVID-19 Update by Jill Franken, Public Health Director Presentation: Approximately 15 minutes followed by discussion Jill Franken, Public Health Director, reviewed the City's COVID-19 response priorities, which include: 1) limit and slow the spread of illness and deaths; 2) preserve continuity of community essential functions; 3) minimize social disruption; 4) minimize economic impact; and, 5) coordinate messaging for the public to keep them informed. She reviewed 14-day trends and explained that we are at a "low- incidence plateau" meaning cases are staying at or below 26 per day and hospitalizations are at 20 to 30 per day. Franken also provided state-wide data about cases by age group and deaths by age groups. While younger populations test positive in greater numbers, older people, particularly those 80 and over, have a higher death rate. The City will continue to monitor new data and she encouraged all to continue following CDC guidance to mitigate spread. She also discussed SOAR's involvement in providing technical assistance to businesses and organizations. Discussion followed about the trends we should monitor, frequency of updating the council, and potential vaccines or other measures to mitigate or stop the spread of the virus. 4. Public Comment There was none. 5. Adjournment Council Vice Chair Greg Neitzert adjourned the meeting at 5:18 p.m. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk