HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_1306 (2)IRE:DELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3.2004
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on
Tuesday, February 3, 2004, at 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center
(South Wing Conference Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present were:
Chairman Steve D. Johnson
Vice Chairman Godfrey Williams
Doug Madison
Marvin Norman
Sara Haire Tice
Staffpresent: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Emergency Management
Director Tracy Jackson, EMS Director Lee Darnell, Library Director Steve Messick,
Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Planning Supervisor Ron Smith, Chief Deputy
Rick Dowdle with the Sheriffs Department, Support Services Director Jim Vernon,
and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Johnson.
PRESENTATION REGARDING THE STATE EMS PLAN & NUCARE
AMBULANCE SERVICES: Joining Emergency Management Director Tracy
Jackson and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director Lee Darnell for a discussion
regarding NuCare Ambulance Services was Dr. Steven Folstad, the Medical Director
for the county's EMS and 911 Emergency Communications Departments.
Jackson said that in accordance with state law, Iredell County had to provide the
oversight for all private and rescue squad ambulance services operating within its
territorial jurisdiction. He said the agencies had to meet state standards, as well as any
requirements imposed upon them by the governing unit providing the oversight.
Jackson said NuCare, a private ambulance service operating in Iredell County, had been
apprised of the state and local standards; however, several problems had been
encountered. He said the company was noncompliant in several areas.
Daniell said Iredell County's State EMS Plan had a "solid focus towards patient
safety." He said three different supervisors had been employed at NuCare during the
past year, and all of them had been notified about the compliancy needs. Darnell said
the company's officials ignored the information, even after it was submitted numerous
times. He said a December 31, 2003 compliancy deadline was given, and after this
time elapsed, he made an inspection. Darnell said the agency was still out of
compliance, and the following non -compliancy items were observed.
• No drivers' training
• North Carolina State forms had not been completed
• Narcotics were in an open container
• Lack of paramedic training
• Lack of patient data
He said after this, a 45 day compliancy deadline was given, along with a
statement asking if the company planned to continue its operations in the county, and if
so, at what level. After this, he said the company sent a fax indicating NuCare planned
to continue its services at a paramedic level. He then made an inspection and found the
following problem areas.
• No drivers'training had been accomplished
• Lack of premises reporting
• HIPAA requirements were not being followed
• Odor of cigarette smoke in the vehicles along with cigarette ashes and
patient information lying on the Floor boards of the ambulances