Rural Health Community Systems, Inc.

 
Minutes
April 2, 2008
 
Note:  The network did not meet in March due to a snow storm the day of the meeting. Thank you to Nan Hammes for hosting this meeting.
 
Partners Present
Everett Ferguson                  Gary Whiteman                     Tim Wixom
Eileen Schmidt                      George Bliss                         Nan Hammes
Tim Marshall                          Candi Thompson
Staff: Betty Wattenberg, Network Consultant;
Art Jones, Network Coordinator of Initiatives
Absent
Bob Rajsky                Mike Sprague            Steve Foster
Excused:      Al Lewis
 
Call to Order – Chair Nan Hammes
Motion by George, 2nd by Everett to approve the February 2008 minutes that were distributed via email.  Motion passed by the partners.
 
Policy, Regulatory, or Legislative Issues- Following the network consultant’s request to develop a list of challenges facing EMS, the list developed by Everett was discussed (please refer to attached list.)  It was agreed that organizational direction from the local level to the federal level, and the visa-versa, was lacking.  It was suggested that the network continue to seek out opportunities to give direction and empowerment to EMS.  More and continuous efforts have to be made to educate legislators on the value of EMS.  (Addendum by Al Lewis was sent to the Partners)
           
The importance and benefit of strong physician involvement in the EMS system was discussed.  In other geographic areas where physicians have been active and proactive in the EMS systems much progress has been made.
 
Developing RHCS to involve political leaders, physicians, and others would be beneficial to EMS.  Everett suggested contacting course sponsors and reaching out through them to new EMS providers.  It was also suggested to hold a luncheon for local and county officials to highlight EMS to them.
 
Emergency Services Management Certificate Program –
Al Lewis arranged a conference call with Bureau of EMS Representatives regarding funding for the training program.  Marjorie Geiger, the Deputy Director for the Emergency Medical Services Bureau was on the call; along with her training rep and the Bureau’s contract rep.   The Bureau, while again acknowledging the need for this type of training/education was seemingly not willing to consider integrating it into the EMS recertification requirements at this point in time.  The Bureau now states that they will grant only 2 hours of CME for EMS Operations as part of the continuing education recertification process. Previously the Bureau stated they would credit participants up to twelve CME hours.   Also stated they could only fund the next level one classes in the fall of 2008, as a one-time-only demo.
 
The New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH) has just established an EMS sub-committee. (Thanks in large part to Art Jones) The stimulus for establishing this committee was the RHCS network coordinator’s remarks during a public policy forum at the 2007 NYSARH state conference.  The RHCS network consultant and the coordinator of initiatives are co-chairs, along with Don Rowe,  of the sub-committee. 
 
Captain’s Roundtable Dinner Meeting- A proposal was submitted to the Partners to host a Captain’s Roundtable dinner meeting in early May.  The purpose of the meeting will be to bring veteran EMS leaders together with the new leaders. The purpose is to exchange ideas, learn what works and what doesn’t.   Many ambulance agencies hold their elections from January to April so a May meeting was suggested.  Departing EMS leaders would have an opportunity to share the knowledge and experienced they gained while in office.  The Coordinator of Initiatives will establish an agenda, date, time, and location for the event.   It was suggested that this would be an opportune time to showcase the rural health network’s “tools” as well as the Confidentiality policy, Emergency Services Management Certificate Program, Recruitment & Retention ideas, Quality Improvement, and a PSCIM Board Presentation.  Essentially the goal is working together is better.
 
Society For Total Emergency Programs For Improving Emergency Medical Services (STEP)- STEP is hosting a conference at Rochester Institute of Technology on May 7.  The purpose of the conference is to promote the use of information technology in EMS.  STEP is the sponsor of the on-line Emergency Services Directory that started in Livingston County and is migrating out into Steuben and surrounding counties.  The goal is to take the program national.
 
STREMS Town Meeting- Art Jones reported on the town meeting in the absence of Bob Rajsky.  Using the personnel data complied by the Coordinator of Network Initiatives, the network assisted in promoting the event to the county’s EMS providers.  The meeting was held March 31 at the Hornell Fire Department.  About 40 EMS providers were in attendance to hear presentations by Bob Rajsky and Dr. Huffner.  The presentations were on recent protocol changes as well as reviewing policy updates for assist animals, blood glucose testing regulations, and the latest policy from the DOH on e-PCR submission.  Dr. Huffner presented on the 10 years of QI data collected by the region.  He complimented the providers on the care they have been providing in the region and also the time and effort they put forth to participate in the QI process. 
Coordinator of Network Initiatives Report- Please see attached reports for February and March.
 
RHCS Bylaws & Office of Rural Health Regulations- The consultant reminded the members that there is an attendance requirement for network membership.  Three un-excused absences from scheduled network monthly meetings will result in self-removal from the board.
 
REMINDER
Rural Health Community Systems, Inc        ~             By-Laws
Section IV:            Removal
Members are removed from the Board of Partners by quorum vote.  Three unexcused absences during any given fiscal year will equal a self-removal from the Board.
 
 
The consultant also discussed Office of Rural Health requirement that asserts that organizations created by the network can not become members of the network.  RHCS briefly assisted in the early development of the County EMS Association therefore representatives from the association, while welcomed at the meetings, can not be voting members of the network.  The Network Consultant acknowledged that the representative from the Steuben County EMS Association was always treated as a member.
 
Remember ~ EMS WEEK is May 18 – 24, 2008
 
NEWS UPDATE
Candi Thompson, representing the Greater Steuben County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and one of the network’s original members, has decided to retire from the Red Cross. 
Candi has from day-one enabled this rural health network to design, construct, implement and examine so many of our essential projects.  Lacking Candi’s efforts the network never could have succeeded in placing 150 AED’s in pubic areas around Steuben County where they are most needed.  Without her, over 800 kids would not have been trained in Responding to Emergencies.   As a result of her personal drive over 1800 private citizens in Steuben County have been trained in CPR/AED.  There would never have been six Camp RTE.  She Chaired this partnership and is currently the Secretary. 
Candi’s boundless energy, brilliant ideas, skillful political maneuvers, inspired networking skills and dazzling personality have brought a great bounty to Rural Health Community Systems, Inc.  
 
The Partners congratulated her, thanked her for her devotion to the network and asked her to stay on as a Partner in the Industry/Volunteer division.
 
There being no further business, the motion was made by Tim, second by George to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 11:25 AM
Respectfully Submitted
 
Candi Thompson,
Secretary

Next Meeting-
May 7, 2008   9:30 AM.
at the new Bath Fire station on East Morris St.