Minutes - North Naples Fire District

NNFD EMS Council Meeting
Final Meeting Minutes for February 21, 2014
Attendees:
D/C Aguilera
Captain Chuck Bacon
Lt. Jodi Van Sickle
Ron Myers
John Stanfill
Eric Watson
Capt. Arigo
Steve Epright
Bret Jameyson
Capt. Maguire
Reg Buxton
Dr. Hobaica
Todd Gibson
Janet Vasey
George Danz
Bill Moyer
D/C Aguilera began the meeting by thanking everyone for attending and briefly explained why he invited
Dr. Banerjee to give a presentation on Sepsis. He stated he saw Dr. Banerjee at the State EMS Medical
Directors Conference and believes his approach was the best method to detect the early recognition of
Sepsis. He informed the group that the OMD was contacted and advised to hold off on the Protocol
because there was another approach and thought it was a great opportunity to re-draft/bring back and
resubmit to the OMD for recommendation.
Approval of the January 17, 2014 meeting minutes- first by John Stanfill, second by Capt. Andrea
Schultz, to approve the January 17, 2014 meeting minutes. VOTE: Unanimous
Old Business
D/C Aguilera updated the group regarding the ALS Benchmarks, numbers provided to the group. He
informed the group that the call volume has gone up as well as hospital volume.
D/C updated the group regarding the Injury Prevention Coalition and stated he will be forwarding the
Press Release regarding the announcement of a new Leadership Coalition Team which will be having a
Strategic Planning Session for the Injury Prevention Coalition. He informed the group that Dr. Hobaica,
has agreed to host the event at Arthrex which will take place in June. He advised that invitations will be
sent out and stated he would like some of the talent from this group to be a part of this Strategic Planning
Session with the Injury Prevention Coalition.
D/C Aguilera updated the group regarding Drug Shortages and stated he did not receive an e-mail with
the current report indicating any shortages for this month. He stated that the last report indicated the
shortages in saline and some sterile fluids and that both Hospital Systems have reported shortages this
month as well on fluids. He advised the group that a letter was submitted to Dr. Tober indicating that
North Naples will be implementing the use of the J-Loops with the Saline Locks that will be strictly used
for conservation and in cases in which there will not be a need for a high volume of fluids. The letter also
indicated that the two hospitals prefer this method because it conserves IV fluids and it’s easier for the
patients as well and that they urged to encourage EMS to proceed with same. He advised the group that
he reached out to EMS to also consider switching to J-Loops when possible. He stated he currently has
them in stock and is going to present an instructional video and provide to the department.
Open Discussion ensued regarding the preference of the J-Loops with the Saline Locks.
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D/C Aguilera D/C Aguilera updated the group on the EMS Advisory meeting and stated there is a
special meeting in Tallahassee next week for which there are a number of recommended rule changes that
has raised the attention of every EMS provider in the State of Florida. He advised the group of the
numerous public hearings currently taking place in the State which revolves around the mandating of
every EMS Provider to electronically submit their data to the State, and that an EMS provider must leave
a completed RUN Report in the ER before leaving. He stated this is not an issue in Collier County since
data is already sent to the State of Florida however, should be a huge impact for other much larger
providers for which leaving a completed RUN Report before leaving the ER could paralyze some EMS
Systems, not to mention the expense to convert and/or support an electronic data submission system.
Open Discussion ensued regarding the complications and impact of leaving a completed report
prior to leaving the ER
D/C Aguilera also informed the group of the State Legislative format, lots of Telemedicine Bills which
he is currently reviewing. He stated that Florida will start recognizing, the ability to provide medicine
through some other electronic format where a physician is not necessarily on site but be able to use video
conferencing. He advised that the hospitals are currently using this method and that the problem is that
the State has not recognized it to be a Medicare billable item. He indicated that some sort of a funding
source needs to be created to allow Telemedicine billing.
D/C Aguilera Children’s Council, Dr. Lopez not present.
D/C Aguilera asked for an update regarding the PSA.
Reg Buxton stated the PSA will be eliminated.
D/C Aguilera stated this issue is an Agenda Item in the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 25,
2014, under the County Manager’s section regarding the PSA. He stated this council will continue and
hopefully be a resource to any other committee that’s put in its place. He stated that the new resurrected
EMS Advisory Council will not have a Fire Representative to voice any medical issues on its behalf.
Chief D’Angelo stated they are taking a step backwards.
D/C Aguilera stated he is considering potentially speaking on behalf of this group which has a regional
feel and has partnerships from Lee County, both Hospital Systems, Fire Districts, Doctors, EMS, elected
officials, and community members that participate freely and openly. He stated this Council is not only
functional but also has a track record of accomplishments and is the closest Council to a regional look that
currently exists. He asked for input and stated he may send letter on behalf of this Council. He stated
that one of the recommendations for this new Council is that they are going to have some sub-groups and
one of them is going to be a Medical Sub-Committee. Chief Aguilera asked Janet Vasey what happens
with the money that has not been spent and/or addressed.
Janet Vasey indicated the funds are returned.
D/C Aguilera updated the group on the North Collier Construction which forwarded an e-mail that
indicated that construction has begun. He stated this should not be an impact to any patient flow
whatsoever. He indicated that they will be switching the ER entrance for the units and is expecting an
Incident Action Plan that will indicate the process.
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D/C Aguilera updated the group on Smart 911 and indicated that the report has been provided. He
informed the group that he has a meeting with President of the Medical Society on March 20, 2014, and is
going to ask Sandy Chernoff from the Sheriff’s Department to attend as well.
D/C Aguilera stated there is no update on the Medical Director Sub-Committee, they have not met.
New Business
D/C Aguilera advised the group that a letter was sent to the Community Members regarding the North
Naples Fire District and Big Corkscrew Fire Island District’s possible merger. He advised that both
Boards had a special meeting in February and that they approved an Inter-Local Agreement that gives
direction that by March 1, 2014, the Administrations will be merging. He also indicated that a resolution
to proceed with officially merging both districts into one district following the required State Law was
supported. He indicated that one of the State requirements is that a plan is needed which then has to go
back to the joint boards which after reviewing the plan, have to make the decision whether they want to
move forward with the merger. He informed the group that if the decision to move forward was agreed
upon, the next step will be to pass another resolution supporting it to go to the voters of each district to
vote on during the November general elections.
Open Discussion ensued regarding the possible name change.
D/C Aguilera updated the group regarding the XCollar Protocol and asked Capt. Maguire if the protocol
will stay close to Lee’s County’s Protocol
Joe Maguire stated that it will be close to Lee County’s Protocol.
D/C Aguilera informed the group that this is going to be a big topic at the Gathering of Eagles
Conference in Dallas for which he will be attending.
Joe Maguire gave the group a brief explanation on the XCollar Protocol.
D/C Aguilera stated the standards will be set at the National level and that the Florida Association of
Medical Directors did a great job which was also supported all the way to the American Academy of
Surgeons. He stated that the next step is to have a National Resolution for revision for any possible future
lawsuits. He advised the group that he will have the XCollar Protocol presented at the next meeting.
D/C Aguilera advised the group that he is planning to reach out and get together a group to make
decisions and get protocols supported and moved forward.
Chief Anderson thanked Chief Aguilera for having Dr. Banerjee and stated he worked with Dr. Banerjee
in the past and that it was unfortunate that a director from another County came to give a presentation
here when we have our own Medical Director.
D/C Aguilera informed the group about the attempts to do something locally like the Gathering of Eagles
to attract and get doctors that have National recognition here for some time in June. He stated he is
hopeful in continuing to sponsor doctors to come here and even get some of the local doctors involved.
D/C Aguilera asked for a Motion to adjourn, first Murphy second by Dewitt. Vote Unanimous
Meeting adjourned.
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