Coastal Valleys EMS Agency News

Posted August 31, 2016

The review and comment period for development and adoption of the following treatment guideline has been initiated. Please review carefully and submit comments. This public comment period will close October 31st, 2016.

• Sepsis Alert

Please forward comments via fax or email to:

Joanne Chapman, RN

Trauma/Clinical Care Coordinator

Coastal Valleys EMS Agency

195 Concourse Blvd., Suite B

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

707-565-6510 FAX

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The following treatment guideline has been revised and is effective immediately:

• 7003 Trauma Triage Decision Scheme

Patients on antiplatelet drug therapy (Plavix not ASA) has been added to Step 4 - Additional Factors – Age and Co-Morbid Factors.

Due to the decreased platelet aggregation and the inhibiting of thrombus formation, patients appear to be at increased risk of developing life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage.

Base hospital contact is strongly encouraged to help facilitate appropriate destination decisions.

Please ensure all care providers are familiar with this addition.

Please direct any questions regarding this change to:

Joanne Chapman, RN
Trauma/Clinical Coordinator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(707) 321-8665

The agenda for the September 2, 2016 meeting of the Mendocino Emergency Medical Care Committee is now available.

The California EMS Authority (EMSA) has released for public comment proposed changes to CCR Title 22 Div.9 Chapter 2, Emergency Medical Technician regulations.

The EMSA notice, links to regulations, and the process to comment on the proposed changes are available on the EMS website:

http://www.emsa.ca.gov/Public_Comment

EMSA does plan a public hearing if you’d like to provide your feedback in person.

Although each interested person should read the proposed changes for a complete understanding, here are some of the main changes proposed within the chapter:

• Addition of naloxone, epinephrine administration to EMT scope

• Addition of blood glucose monitoring to EMT scope

• Increase in EMT program training hours to 150

• Addition of tactical operations training to the EMT curriculum

• Changes in Continuing Education requirements to include 6 hours mandatory in-person skills-based training for EMT renewal

• Phased removal of the EMT Skills Verification Form as a EMT renewal requirement

• New requirements for EMT training programs to incorporate the additional scope training within EMT curriculum. 

CVEMSA staff will keep the discussion on the agendas of our stakeholder meetings for discussion and submit our comments as a LEMSA to EMSA staff working on the regulation changes. Each organization and individual concerned about the changes should consider responding from their perspective as well.

Please distribute this information widely within your organization and stakeholder groups.

The revision of Policy 7008 includes changes in the policy required due to Coastal Valleys’ change of hospital notification systems from EMResource to ImageTrend Resource Bridge. The process included within the policy represents current practices for EMS Agency approval of hospital bypass based on hospital ability to provide specialty care services, or when impacted by physical plant disruption. This version clarifies procedures and incorporates the ImageTrend Resource Bridge.

• Policy 7008: Hospital Bypass

Below is the final policy revision to CVEMSA Administrative Policy 6001, Completion of Patient Care Records.

Policy 6001: Completion of Patient Care Records

This revision provides clarity for Basic Life Support (BLS) providers’ documentation requirements. Other changes include an inclusion of a patient definition, and a requirement for transport providers to deliver any provided first responder PCR to receiving facilities when turning over care. This policy is effective August 1st, 2016. Please distribute within your organization and wider stakeholder groups as appropriate.

CVEMSA thanks the agencies and individuals participating in the policy revision process for working with the EMS Agency to improve our system.