Title
Accept and approve the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency Annual Report for 2022.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Accept and approve the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency Annual Report for 2022.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency completed its Annual Report for the 2022 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, 2022, through December 31, 2022. This was a challenging time period as the EMS Agency continued to address its usual responsibilities while at the same time maintaining an important role in the response to COVID-19. Highlights from 2022 include the following:
In 2022 the EMS Agency endeavored to increase our educational offerings. These offerings have two main targets: education for EMS system participants and for the residents of Monterey County. Our educational programs for our EMS providers focused on needs identified through our quality improvement programs and initiatives. These needs may include items such as additional information regarding particular injuries or diseases encountered, policy or protocol refreshers, or new topics not previously addressed in local EMS education. Our community education and outreach efforts focus on preventative health and safety education for residents throughout Monterey County such as tips to utilize when recovering from the flu.
In 2022, we partnered in the establishment of a Paramedic Training Program in Monterey County. This program is coordinated by the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium through Monterey Peninsula College. The EMS Agency worked diligently with the program’s Director to ensure that the program met all state and county requirements. The program’s first class commenced in July of 2022. This program will serve as a valuable resource for local EMTs who wish to pursue promotion to the role of paramedic. The establishment of a local source of paramedics is also expected to aid the staffing shortages experienced by Monterey County’s ambulance and fire service providers.
Another significant undertaking that the EMS Agency worked on in 2022 was a partnership with the EMS Agencies in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties as well as numerous other community groups. This initiative will permit our paramedics to administer buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder and withdrawal symptoms, in the prehospital setting. The program also incorporates hospital-based outreach and follow-up processes. Paramedic administration of the medication will provide short-term relief from distressing and painful symptoms while at the same time establishing a pathway to potential long-term care.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2020 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:
The 2022 EMS Annual Report is on file with the Clerk of the Board.