Virginia Hastings, Executive Director

Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency(Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino Counties)

September 21, 2009

California Trauma System Summit IILocal EMS Agencies Perspectives

PLANNING FOR REGIONALIZATION

Need identified 8 – 10 years ago

“California’s Trauma Care: In Crisis” (2002)

Trauma Advisory Committee Recommendations and Planning

SB 261 – Romero (2007) NOT ENACTED

Mandated Regionalization Mandated State Registry EMSA estimated its costs at $450,000 Included funding for local agencies to fund intercounty transfers EMSA/LEMSA agree voluntarily to regionalize to improve patient care,

although no funding provided

EMSA grants for Registry and Regional meetings

California Trauma System Summit IILocal EMS Agencies Perspectives

PERSPECTIVES

Polled all LEMSA’s

What’s working / not working

Strengths / Weaknesses

Commitments / Suggestions

Nearly identical responses from all LEMSA’s

California Trauma System Summit IILocal EMS Agencies Perspectives

STRENGTHS

Commitment to regionalization

Communications of all participants

Improved partnering

Gap analysis

Tackling “short term” issues immediately

California Trauma System Summit IILocal EMS Agencies Perspectives

SIMILARITIES

Assessment of resources

Standardization of triage criteria

Standardization of QI filters

Standardization of registries

Funding / Repatriation

California Trauma System Summit IILocal EMS Agencies Perspectives

ISSUES / PROBLEMS

Geography barrier to participation in large regions

Time commitments

Sustainment of commitments

Budget Reductions Furloughs Heavier workloads Travel reductions

Continued funding for planning from EMSA

California Trauma System Summit IILocal EMS Agencies Perspectives

ISSUES / PROBLEMS (continued)

Funding for uninsured

Physician availability

Transportation availability – particularly in rural areas

Absence of regulatory requirement to participate

California Trauma System Summit IILocal EMS Agencies Perspectives

RECOMMENDATIONS

Update of State Trauma Planning Document to describe current regional models and planning

Continuation and increase in EMSA trauma funding to sustain commitment

Acquire a planning coordinator for each region

Access to technical experts, e.g. ACS system consultant teams

California Trauma System Summit IILocal EMS Agencies Perspectives

LEMSA’S OVERALL PERSPECTIVE

LET’S KEEP MOVING !!!