Subject:
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Revisions to the Emergency Medical Services Rules and Regulations.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Authority, approve revisions to the Pinellas County EMS Rules and Regulations to enhance EMS stakeholder meetings.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
The revisions to the EMS Rules and Regulations are as follows:
- Clarifies the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Meeting as a planning meeting instead of a committee and removes references to a committee
- Outlines development of the Training Plan and the Training Schedule
- Describes the purpose of the CME Planning Meeting and the stakeholders that are encouraged to attend
- Describes the purpose of the EMS Stakeholder Meetings
The EMS Authority’s staff and the EMS Medical Director will hold regular, ongoing meetings with EMS System stakeholders including but not limited to EMS coordinators, Continuing Medical Education professionals, hospital emergency department personnel, and mental health providers. Meetings will be fact finding in nature to ensure that quality improvement initiatives, training plans, and other projects have stakeholder input prior to implementation.
The EMS Advisory Council unanimously supports the changes to the EMS Rules & Regulations and a letter of support is attached.
Staff recommends that Section 2.12 be amended to link existing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Business Associate Agreements with the EMS Rules & Regulations.
Background Information:
The Pinellas County EMS Rules and Regulations have been developed to facilitate ongoing improvements in the quality of emergency and non-emergency prehospital and inter-facility medical care for the citizens and visitors of Pinellas County. These rules and regulations are promulgated by the Pinellas County EMS Authority in accordance with the Pinellas County Code Chapter 54 (EMS Ordinance), Chapter 401, Florida Statutes and Chapter 64-J, Florida Administrative Code with incorporation of any subsequent amendments.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Jim Fogarty, Director, Safety and Emergency Services
Partners:
EMS Medical Director
EMS Advisory Council
EMS Medical Control Board
Sunstar Paramedics
City of Clearwater
City of Dunedin
East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District
City of Gulfport
City of Largo
Lealman Special Fire Control District
City of Madeira Beach
City of Oldsmar
Palm Harbor Special Fire Control District
City of Pinellas Park
Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District
City of Safety Harbor
City of Seminole
City of South Pasadena
City of St. Pete Beach
City of St. Petersburg
City of Tarpon Springs
City of Treasure Island
Attachments:
EMS Rules & Regulations
Letter from the EMS Advisory Council
Pinellas County Code, Section 54-60