Coastal Valleys EMS Agency News

The agenda for the October 24, 2016 meeting of the Regional Medical Advisory Committee is now available.

Please see the attached EMS Special Memo regarding Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) confidentiality protection. CVEMSA is issuing the Special Memo in response to some stakeholder questions regarding the protection afforded to agencies and individuals when reviewing care provided as part of the EMS System. CVEMSA feels only open, honest case review in a safe environment can facilitate system improvement.

• Special Memo 16-002: CQI Protection

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.