Title
Receive and approve the Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) Annual Report for 2019-20.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive and approve the Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) Annual Report for 2019-20.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) completed its Annual Report for 2019-2020 activities of the Agency and EMS System. This report is regularly presented to the Board of Supervisors to keep the Board and other County officials informed about the work done by the EMS Agency and EMS system stakeholders.
DISCUSSION:
This Annual Report has been expanded to cover the period of July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020. Much happened in this time period which required EMS Agency response over and above the usual responsibilities. A few highlights include the following:
COVID-19 affected everyone and the EMS Agency was no different. The EMS Agency responded to the COVID emergency by providing staff to fill the role of Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC). The MHOAC is responsible to working across county lines to obtain resources such as supplies and personnel when Monterey County is unable to meets its needs with in-County resources. The EMS Agency also worked diligently to ensure EMS providers had the most current information in order to keep themselves safe and continue to provide appropriate patient care. To help combat the spread of COVID, the EMS Agency worked with the State EMS Authority to receive approval for Monterey County paramedics and EMTs to provide COVID testing and for paramedics to provide COVID vaccinations with EMT-provided vaccinations coming in 2021.
The EMS Agency worked diligently to ensure continued ambulance services throughout Monterey County.
The EMS Agency continued work to ensure the people of Monterey County receive the best care possible when a medical emergency occurs. We have added TXA to our trauma care protocols in an effort to slow blood loss and give the critical trauma patient time to get to needed surgical care at the trauma center. EMTs are now authorized to carry and administer epinephrine for severe allergic reactions and naloxone for narcotic overdose.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2020 Strategic Plan Initiative: 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; 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: Steve Brooks, EMS Analyst, 755-4948
Approved by:
______________________________Date:__________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachment:
EMS Annual Report 2019-20