MINUTES
Meeting of the Emergency & Disaster Services Committee
Thursday, November 6, 2008
2pm – Academy of Medicine

Attendance: Jon Van Zile, MD, Chair; Donald Locasto, MD; Hamilton Lempert, MD; Hamilton Schwartz, MD; Robin Thomas; Tom Wolf; Nancy Coomer, Academy Staff

I. Welcome/Announcements.

II. Minutes.

Minutes of the June 24, 2008 meeting were read and approved.

III. Old Business.

IV. Protocol Subcommittee Report.

Dr. Lempert reported that the revised Paramedic Protocol document is up on his web site for review prior to the January 1, 2009 effective date. Also available on the web site are a summary of the changes and several educational powerpoint presentations. He will send a letter to the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy regarding drug changes. Dr. Van Zile will present a summary of the Paramedic Protocol changes, for information only, at the November 11 Academy Council meeting.

He also reported that the Protocol Subcommittee is looking for suggestions for new protocols/those needing revision for next year’s review. They are also considering working on the basic and intermediate protocols. It is unclear how many actually use the EMT-I protocol; Tom Wolf said he would ask the fire chiefs and Dr. Van Zile will ask at the next PHCOC meeting. Dr. Locasto noted that there may be UC resident assistance with next year’s protocol review, and that he is working with Dr. Amy Gutman on updating the Paramedic Unit Site Visit Report Form.

V. Compliance & Inspection Committee Report.

• Mason and Woodlawn site visit reports were included in the agenda for review and approval; both were recommended for five-year approval.
• Dr. Van Zile was going to talk to Mariemont regarding to a Q/A program that was supposed to be implemented so their site visit can be scheduled.
• Evendale (past due since 2005) has still not submitted site visit packets. Dr. Locasto indicated they have a new medical director, Dr. Ed Hooker, and may need a little more time to get the information together.
• Harrison needs a 6-month followup visit by Dr. Van Zile; Tom offered to help.

VI. Prehospital Care Operations Committee Report.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospital.

VII. Disaster Services Report.

Robin Thomas reported that recent airport disaster drill went well but with a few minor mixups. She also noted she attended an Ohio Hospital Association meeting in Columbus where a new patient tracking system was reviewed.

She also agreed to email Disaster Committee meeting minutes to Nancy at the Academy for distribution to the EDS Committee.

Dr. Van Zile brought up the issue of the September 14 power outage and there was considerable discussion about different aspects of this emergency. Dr. Van Zile suggested that there should be some type of incident command should this situation occur in the future. He also indicated he would talk to Bill Hinkle at Hamilton County Communications Center and Robin would talk to Tonda Francis.

VIII. New Business.

Dr. Lempert asked if anyone had problems referring patients to VA Medical Center’s emergency room for admitting. He said their admitting policy is 10 patients per day, and that they won’t accept any more. He said he planned to discuss the issue with VA’s chief of staff.

IX. Next Meeting Date.

The 2009 meeting schedule will be sent to everyone. Meetings will be the first Thursday of March, June, September and December, begin at 2 pm, at the Academy of Medicine.

X. Adjournment.

There was no further business to be discussed and the meeting was adjourned.

Jonathan Van Zile, MD
Chair