Title
Accept and approve the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency Annual Report for 2023.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
Accept and approve the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency Annual Report for 2023.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency is a Bureau within the County of Monterey Health Department and is designated by the Board of Supervisors as the entity that oversees the delivery of emergency medical services (pre-hospital care) within the County of Monterey. The role of the County of Monterey EMS Agency is defined by California statue to plan, implement, and evaluate the EMS System.
The EMS Agency completed its Annual Report for the 2023 activities of the Agency and EMS System. This report is regularly presented to the Board of Supervisors to keep the Board, other County officials, and the public informed about the work done by the EMS Agency and EMS system stakeholders.
This Annual Report covers the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024. Highlights from 2023 include the following: implementation of the PulsePoint registry for document and tracking the locations of Public Access Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs for use during sudden cardiac arrest emergencies, implementation of a Tri-County (with San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties) project to allow EMS providers to administer a medication to patients experiencing symptoms of withdrawal from opioid use, and expansion of the bidirectional Health Data Exchange (HDE) program for information sharing between EMS providers and our local hospitals.
Additionally, in 2023 the EMS Agency undertook an effort to seek input regarding the County of Monterey’s EMS system from a wide swath of stakeholders, including members of the public. The information and insights gathered were utilized to guide our work to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) for ambulance services for the County of Monterey Exclusive Operating Area (EOA) and future improvements to the EMS System.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goal 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer friendly, quality health services; it is in support of one or more of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable and 9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
No other agencies are involved in the proposed Board action.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact resulting from this Board action.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Debra Hopgood, Management Analyst III, 755-4920
Approved by:
______________________________Date:_______________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment:
Board Report
The 2023 EMS Annual Report