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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93008_11847;3'7 tA the nearest hospital. He said if Ms. Barnes wanted her father to go to a Charlotte hospital, she would have to get a physician's statement that he should be brought to the Charlotte hospital; otherwise, the EMS crew is obligated to transport to the nearest hospital. Virginia McDonald: Asked why does it take so long when an ambulance is called. Dispatchers ask questions. She said she wanted their local service back. Mr. John Fleming said the reason the dispatcher asked so many questions is that they wanted to prepare the paramedics so they would know what to expect when they arrived. Ms. Cecilia Barnes inquired about the difference in an EMT and a paramedic. Mr. John Fleming explained the difference in their training and capabilities at the scene of an emergency. Mrs. Sarah Hedrick inquired about the difference in ambulance bills. Said she was described by a paramedic as using "abusive speech". This also appeared on the insurance form, she said. Mr. Troy Scoggins said the reason Mooresville decided to go out of the ambulance service is because they could not afford to update their service from EMT to the paramedic level. Chairman Hedrick said the "bottom line" is that the County was trying to upgrade the level of emergency service in the Mooresville area. Bill Caldwell made a complaint about the long period of waiting for his mother-in-law who was not an emergency victim but needed transportation. He waited two hours for an 83 year old woman to get transported to the hospital, he said. A lot of telephone calls had to be made. Chairman Hedrick advised the group of the E911 system that is being installed in Iredell County, which is planned to be ready for use in April 1987. He also asked that Mr. John Fleming get k` with Mr. Caldwell and discuss the situation Mr. Caldwell brought up at the meeting. I i Mrs. Pat Sherrill: Spoke of time lost in dispatching ambulances. Mrs. Cowan discussed her 82 year old brother who was recovering from a stroke. She discussed several different ambulance bills and the different charges. Some of the transports were made by Care -A -Van service. Mr. Bill Brater was recognized by Chairman Hedrick. Mr. Brater discussed his Care -A -Van service. He said they only provide oxygen and monitor the vital signs in their transport service. He also said collections were bad. They now have enough outstanding bills to purchase a new ambulance, he said. Chairman Hedrick read the costs of maintaining the Iredell County Ambulance Service and then the revenues received for services. He said the average call cost the county $273., and the revenues average $36.82 per call. Mr. Lloyd Shoemaker spoke of trouble he had with filing for reimbursement with Medicare for a Care -A -Van bill. Chairman Hedrick suggested that Care -A -Van spend some time helping the patients to fill out the forms. Leonna Johnson inquired how long before the E-911 service will be available. Chairman Hedrick said it was supposed to be effective in April of this year. This is the date that has been given by the installers. 40, Mrs. Nancy Cowan asked a question about the number of ambulances. Mr. John Fleming said the County has six ambulances on duty seven days a week. They always have at least one in Mooresville, he said. Mrs. Cowan also asked a question about a problem she had experienced at Davis Community Hospi- tal. Chairman Hedrick said he would ask the County Manager to contact Mr. Steve Blaine at the hospital and ask him to get in touch with Mrs. Cowan. Sarah Hedrick: Asked if there was any way that the Board could help them to get their Moores- ville ambulance service back. Chairman Hedrick: Said the service by Iredell County with the paramedic level of care is the best way and asked that the County be given a little time. Cecilia Barnes: Made a complaint about Care -A -Van. Bobbie Powers: Said they did not have all these problems when Mooresville had its own ambulance service. Mr. Shoemaker: Commended the ambulance attendants. Dr. Pam Sholar: Said one of the difficulties is in determining what is a medical emergency and thought there was a communication problem. Sylvia Liner: Said she thought one of the problems was communication. Asked that the guide- lines for the emergency services be put in the newspaper.