05/27/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Ms. Schue indicated it would seem to be advantaqeous to the patient to have MSI called to respond to another emergency. Mr. Leonard responded that the trip ticket accounts for mileage. Mr. Delay asked why there are fewer units on the road since January. He wondered if it is a result of the staff being at a lower level because it is understaffed now or if they were overstaffed pre- viously. Mr. Leonard responded they have not received the call projections they thought they would. They are now projecting if the calls pick back up, they will be able to provide an additional unit. Mr. Delay asked if the calls go up and. down with the economy. Mr. Leonard responded that in 22 years, there has been no set pattern. Mr. Delay asked how long they had had five units. Mr. Leonard responded since August or September of 1979. Mr. Delay asked if the reduction is based on the demand, which is less this year than last year. Mr. Leonard responded they have not made the call projec- tions that they thought they would. Mr. Delay asked why there had been this fluctuation in the ratio of calls given to the Fire Department. Mr. Leonard distributed a copy of their SOP dated April 24, 1979, when reclarification on this policy was made by Eugene and Springfield fire chiefs. He stated he is not aware of any time that the fire departments have not been called when they thought they should be. Mr. Delay asked if the fire departments are called under any circumstances. Mr. Leonard said that the SOP that he had distributed gives the criteria for when the Fire Department is to be called. Mr. Delay asked if these are calls where the Fire Department feels they should be dispatched. Mr. Leonard said these are suggested by the fire chiefs. Mr. Delay then asked if this has been management policy to contact the Fire Department in all of these cases. Mr. Leonard responded that it is to the best of his knowledge. Mr. Leonard said that this policy has been in effect since April 24, 1979, with reclarification once to the dispatchers. They do not want to over-use the fire departments and do not feel they need to be called out on every Code 3. Mr. Delay asked if that was an internal decision or if it was made with information from the fire departments. Mr. Leonard said that this has been reviewed and he does not remember any time that there was a memo. e Mayor Keller asked who would be liable for inappropriate treatment in the case of a rural fire department administering first aid. Mr. Leonard responded that his staff is liable from the time that they first pick up a patient until that patient is given to a higher authority. If something has been done wrong, then they must correct it. Mr. Obie asked how it would affect the clients if the rate increase were allowed now rather than 90 days from now. Mr. Leonard responded there would be no impact until July of 1981. Mr. Obie asked who was responsible for the difference in the interim, if Medicare pays $70 of it 5/27/80--11