Physician Members Present
Bill Perloff
Moe Fikree
Mark Westfall
Keith Wesley
Ron Pirrallo
Jim Berner

EMS Staff Present

Rick Barney, Nan Turner, Linda Watson

Others Present:
Steve Teale

01. Minutes from October 22, 1999 Meeting
Motion from Bill Perloff, second by Mark Westfall to accept the minutes. Unanimously accepted.

02. Paramedic Curriculum
Copies of the latest revisions to the EMT-P curriculum were distributed for discussion.
Recommendations were made and Nan Turner will forward them to the Paramedic Curriculum Committee.

03. Intermediate Update
Copies of the Concept Proposal for the EMT-Intermediate in Wisconsin were distributed.
Motion from Ron Pirrallo to accept the Concept Proposal as written. Second by Jim Berner. Unanimously accepted.

Advanced EMT Module - to consist of IV skills; additional mediations of 50% Dextrose, narcan and NTG. Could also consider ET module. Would also recommend that students receive credit towards their required refresher when taking this additional module.

04. New EMT-Intermediate Modular Approach
The recommendation is to provide a transition course in which the current EMT-I can advance to the new level. The modular approach would consist of three modules: trauma; medical; and cardiac. Bill Perloff recommended the integration of pediatric content as a separate module. It was felt that the pediatric content could be integrated into each of the three modules with minimal difficulty, or the third module could be 3A - Trauma and 3B- Pediatrics.
These recommendations will be forwarded to the EMT-Intermediate Curriculum Committee (once it's established).

05. Practice to level of licensure
This item appeared on the last meeting agenda and was deferred to the Policy and Practice subcommittee for recommendation. This issue pertains to a higher level of care being allowed to practice (to their level) with a service that provides a lower level of service i.e. in rural areas when an available EMT-P has moved to that area. The recommendation from the Policy and Practice committee was read as follows: "The committee believes it is premature to create other programs at this point while the results and efficacy of existing programs are not yet determined. The concepts of the proposed programs are not being argued at this point, simply the timing. Some of the proposed programs may inhibit the regionalization process and impede cooperation among services. New programs must have adequate time to yield meaningful results before changes and additional programs are sought".

Keith Wesley raises the point that the creation of the regionalized "infrastructure" needs to be in place before other issues, like part-time care can be addressed. The committee stressed the need for adequate oversight.

Motion by Jim Berner, second by Moin Fikree to concur with the statement of recommendation from the Policy and Practice committee, confirming the lack of information on this issue. Unanimously accepted. The committee will continue to evaluate the single paramedic ruling in its long-term approach toward regionalization.

06. Medical Director Update
Enhanced Intermediate Pilot - Data
Rick Barney reports that in working with the EMT-I Enhanced pilot, there have been numerous issues raised over the data evaluation process. While certain services have shown to be "exemplary" in their efforts, most of the pilot participants have been lacking in their abilities to accurately and completely document the enhanced I runs. Funding to expand the current WEMSIS is being limited. The EMS section is currently soliciting all WEMSIS users for proficient Access users. There have been over 1000 runs analyzed for frequency of skills.

Current Enhanced Intermediates - What next?
Pilot ends April 30, 2000. It was agreed that at the end of pilots those services currently at the Enhanced I level might add the following mediations (based on Medical Director's decision): Morphine; Adenocard; and Valium. The EMS Section will not be revoking any of the provider licenses for the remaining eight. Staff from the EMS Section will make site visits to the various areas and assist them in evaluating their program.

Determination of Non-Viability All committee members are asked to submit copies of their current protocols in order to get started on developing a template.

07. Old/New Business

Training Center Certification was discussed.
Nan Turner will bring guidelines for Training Center Certification that the EMS Section has been developing - they are based upon National Standards.

State Trauma Advisory Committee meeting is Wednesday, February 9 at 11AM at 1414 E. Washington in Room 233.

Funding
Rick Barney asks the committee to consider alternative funding sources, given the lack of support for future program development, i.e. First Responder legislation and Trauma System development. The committee discussed creative solutions and is asked to consider the EMT-I position in the bureau, formerly staffed by Dan Eklof, which has not been reinstated for funding.

Motion by Moe Fikree, second by Jim Berner stating the paramount need for the EMT-Intermediate position be filled as soon as possible, in light of the current national standards. Unanimously accepted.

The committee also discussed the appointment status on the EMS Board, and that there have been vacancies for two years. Motion by Ron Pirrallo, second by William Perloff to ask that the legislature quickly fill the current vacancies on the EMS Board. Unanimously accepted.

Future Plans / Calendar

The next meeting is being held on April 13, at 12 noon at the Pioneer Inn, in conjunction with the Paramedic Seminar. Meetings will be held on the third Thursday of the month, every other month thereafter.

Motion by Bill Perloff to adjourn, second by Mark Westfall. Meeting adjourned at 1:30 pm.