Decline in EMTs forefront of conversation at Hospital Board meeting

After a discussion about Emergency Medical Services and the decline in available EMTs during the Medical Staff update in September, the Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners readdressed the issue, following a presentation by County Fire Commissioner Dave McCormick.

McCormick spoke at the Oct. 26 meeting to address his concerns regarding the decline in personnel for the Ritzville Volunteer Ambulance Association. He stated the fire commission has discussed the matter at two recent meetings, as a lack of emergency service personnel is a concern for the fire district.

From information he collected, McCormick said the rate of pay is $16.87 an hour, with $3 an hour for on call pay. EMTs are encouraged to pick up 12 hour shifts, but there are only nine EMTs currently employed with the district.

A recent EMT course had 13 students, but only one individual completed the course and passed the necessary testing. McCormick explained this individual is also an active firefighter, and the local fire district has four members that are also EMTs and only 25 volunteer firefighters total.

McCormick said the fire commission has been approached about taking over the EMT services, and he stated the commission is not currently interested in taking over the operation. He added the fire commission is currently considering not allowing EMTs to apply as a volunteer firefighter.

The reasoning is because the calls for service for the fire department are typically to assist EMTs with a scene. With a limited amount of members available to respond, depending on the call rotation, either EMS or firefighting services could be delayed due to lack of available responders.

The fire commission also agreed firefighters can assist EMTs in driving the ambulance from the scene to the hospital in order to allow them to work on a patient in the back. McCormick said firefighters will not be allowed to drive the ambulance to the scene.

Currently, 13 firefighters have signed up to drive the ambulance as needed from the scene to the hospital.

McCormick said those individual will not be permitted to do so until the fire district receives confirmation that firefighters are covered by the hospital district’s insurance, as they would not be covered by the fire district’s insurance if they are in the ambulance.

CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom explained the district recently received the confirmation of insurance letter for firefighters, and will be submitting a copy to the fire commission.

With concerns of multiple upcoming retirements of EMTs, McCormick recommended the hospital board consider increasing the rate of pay to $25 an hour, and $4 for on call pay. The increase in rates will help encourage the current EMTs to stay, and could entice new ones to join the district.

McCormick stated he believes the issue deserves immediate attention and is a critical matter. The hospital board members agreed, and decided to start a committee to discuss options for EMS.

Dr. Marty Sackmann said the medical staff at the hospital is also concerned about the situation, and a short, temporary and long term plan needs to be established. Currently they are looking into contracting for outside services as a temporary solution, but the issue needs to be continually discussed to find a permanent solution.

Jacqueline Barton True, Director of Rural Health Programs, spoke about the services offered through the Washington State Health Association (WSHA). Washington is the one of the few states in the nation that has 100 percent of hospitals in the association, and it allows an increase in the amount of services provided.

WSHA is focused on patient safety and advocacy, Barton-True explained. There are 39 hospitals designated as Critical Access Hospitals throughout the state, and the WSHA board works to ensure all hospitals are represented, regardless of size.

Eric Walker serves as a board member for WSHA, and Barton-True said they are currently focusing on four top priorities: EMS, dental, behavioral health services and the work force.

For patient safety, WSHA is focusing on expanding services throughout the state to help the hospitals share and not compete. In rural areas, the primary concerns of services to include are diabetes care and mammography.

Barton-True stated WSHA is a resource for all hospitals and helps make connections to available resources. They are dedicated to finding ways for hospitals to better serve their communities, she concluded.

Bostrom provided a list of updates for the local facility, starting with the discussion regarding the possibility of hiring a Behavioral Health PA-C, as well as physician who is already familiar with the district.

He also announced Jennifer Pepperd is serving as the district’s Interim Chief Nursing Officer, while Marnie Boyer PA-C is now overseeing Clinic operations, until further notice.

In the financial update, Bostrom reported the district’s current month’s revenue is under budget by $186,336. The district has a net income of $53,673 for the current month, and a year to date net income of $119,648.

Last year at this time, the district recorded a loss of $529,338, Bostrom explained. A major contributing factor to the loss was the ongoing construction project, as well as being affected by the operation of East Adams Care Center.

The commissioners also discussed the new roof leaks discovered in the past month. Bostrom explained the leaks appear to be occurring near drainage areas, and they have contacted Leone and Keeble about having them fixed.

The hospital district still has the retainage money for Leone and Keeble, and Bostrom said they have not signed off on releasing the over $200,000 yet.

He explained he will consult with the district’s attorney about how to proceed with releasing the funds, but would like to hold on to them until all issues have been fixed.

The hospital commissioners have scheduled two budget reading meetings on Nov. 9 and Nov. 16, both at 2 p.m. The next board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital conference room.