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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-17-1996 - 8b • 4 1 Orange County Board of Commissioners Action Agenda Item Abstract Date: September 17, 1996 Action Agenda Item No JLL Subject: EMS Transportation Agreement Department: Emergency Management Public Hearing Yes No XX Attachment(s): Information Contact: Nick Waters Transportation Agreement Extension Number: 3030 Telephone Number: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 Purpose: To consider approving an agreement between Orange County and South Orange EMS and Rescue Squad, Inc. (SOEMSRS) in regard to transportation by SOEMSRS. Background: Beginning October 1, 1996,the way emergency medical services (EMS) in Orange County is delivered will change. The "new"way of doing business in Orange County includes changes in how responses occur as well as how EMS is financed. County paramedic staff(supplemented by some volunteers)will be providing initial response to all calls. Based on the nature of the call, an ambulance may or may not be dispatched simultaneously with a paramedic. All paramedics will have advanced assessment training and will carry most all of the equipment which is currently stocked on ambulances. The paramedic will arrive on the scene and will either: assess and release the patient; assess, treat, and/or refer the patient; or, if ambulance transport is necessary, will assess and treat the patient while an ambulance is dispatched. This will help to assure the availability of an ambulance when it is needed and will also assure that each patient will be assessed by a paramedic. Under this new EMS delivery system, all emergency ambulance transportation will be provided under the terms of an agreement between Orange County and SOEMSRS. The attached agreement addresses the transportation component of this delivery system and lays out the responsibility of each party with regard to ambulance transportation. Details J 2 of purchase, reimbursement, etc. are covered in the agreement and have been approved by the purchasing director and the director of finance for the county. As approved in the 1996-97 operating budget, all necessary day-to-day EMS expenses of SOEMSRS will be covered by Orange County in return for the Squad's provision of volunteers and temporary paid staff to provide all required emergency ambulance coverage. A substantial portion of the additional cost of covering Squad expenses will be recouped through billing of patients, and third party carriers such as insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid, for services rendered.. The charges, as approved in the 1996-97 Orange County fee schedule, will be: $100 for paramedic treatment; $250 for Basic Life Support(BLS)treatment and transport; and $350 for Advanced Life Support(ALS) treatment and transport. There is no charge for paramedic assessment and release at the scene unless treatment is requested or required. It is important to note that Orange County EMS will continue to operate under the principle that no one will be denied emergency medical care based on an inability to pay. Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. 3 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ORANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTH ORANGE EMS AND RESCUE SQUAD, INC. AND ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into the day of September, 1996, by and between South Orange EMS and Rescue Squad, Inc., hereinafter referred to as 'THE SQUAD" and Orange County, North Carolina, hereinafter referred to as '"THE COUNTY", for and on behalf of its Office of Emergency Management Services. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, THE COUNTY pursuant to the authority contained in N.C.G.S. §153A-250(b), wishes to have a private non-profit organization provide transportation services as part of its emergency medical system using personnel other than County Staff and to compensate said agency for those services; and WHEREAS, THE SQUAD desires to provide this service to THE COUNTY. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the following mutual promises, covenants and conditions, THE COUNTY and THE SQUAD agree as follows: I. SQUAD RESPONSIBILITIES A. To name a single point of contact that has the right and authority to conduct business on behalf of THE SQUAD. The name of this individual shall be provided to THE COUNTY upon the signing of this agreement. THE SQUAD shall provide THE COUNTY with notice of any change in the contact person 5 working days prior to the effective date of the change. B. To provide staffing of ambulances 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at staffing levels established by agreement of the parties provided, however, that in no event shall THE SQUAD permit the staffing of ambulances used to provide services under this 1 4 j agreement by individuals certified below the level of Emergency Medical Technician. C. To ensure that all personnel are trained, certified and current in all continuing education requirements pursuant to standards set by THE COUNTY, and other licensing/certification boards as may be appropriate. Evidence of certification required by N.C.G.S. §131E-159 shall be provided to THE COUNTY. THE SQUAD shall ensure that these records are kept current. D. To purchase items used by THE SQUAD in accordance with Orange County purchasing policies and procedures, and any relevant statutes, and to submit requests for payment for these items by the method and on forms specified by THE COUNTY and within budgeted appropriations. E. To maintain and provide documentation and requests for payroll reimbursements by the method and on forms as specified by THE COUNTY. F. To ensure that at all times when on duty, THE SQUAD's staff is attired in the uniform approved and/or provided by THE COUNTY. G. To perform daily checkouts of each unit, all supplies and equipment at the beginning of each shift, and report any deficiencies to THE COUNTY in a manner approved by THE COUNTY. THE SQUAD shall not allow the supplies and equipment on each unit to fall below the standards established by the North Carolina Medical Care Commission. H. To properly maintain the vehicles provided by THE COUNTY in good working order and have necessary maintenance and repairs completed in the method approved by THE COUNTY. THE SQUAD shall keep and maintain records of the maintenance and operation of the vehicles in accordance with N.C.G.S. §131E-156. Copies of these records shall be furnished to THE COUNTY. Further, it shall be the responsibility of THE SQUAD to notify THE COUNTY when to obtain or renew the ambulance permit required by N.C.G.S. §131E-156. I. THE SQUAD shall provide and maintain evidence of a current Ambulance Providers License, issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. §131E-155.1, to THE COUNTY. J. To provide a monthly expense report (salary, maintenance, supplies, fuel, and other associated operational costs) to THE COUNTY. IC THE SQUAD may enter into contracts or agreements with third parties to provide services under this Agreement. Any such arrangements shall provide that THE COUNTY will retain ultimate control and responsibility and that the third party will be bound by this Agreement. In any case, where THE SQUAD enters into an arrangement with third parties, and when such contracts are not contrary to law, THE COUNTY shall 2 a 5 not be obligated or liable for any breach of contract or other action in law to any party other than THE SQUAD. L. THE SQUAD understands and agrees that the financial officer or designee of THE COUN'T'Y shall have the right to inspect all books and records of THE SQUAD, and will be given full and complete access. H. COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES A. To provide ambulances sufficient enough to support the required staffing levels of THE SQUAD. However, any ambulances provided by THE COUNTY are and shall remain the property of THE COUNTY and upon termination of this agreement are to be returned to THE COUNTY in good working condition, reasonable wear and tear accepted. B. To make purchases of items used by THE SQUAD in accordance with Orange County purchasing policies and procedures and to make payment for items purchased by THE SQUAD with the approval of THE COUNTY within a time frame (not to exceed 30 days of receipt of a request for reimbursement) agreed on by THE COUNTY and THE SQUAD. C. To provide a process for reimbursement of SQUAD salary costs within a time frame (not to exceed 30 days of receipt of a request for reimbursement) agreed on by THE COUNTY and THE SQUAD. D. To provide a standard of uniforms for SQUAD personnel providing services pursuant to this Agreement. E. To provide necessary supplies, equipment, fuel, and other medical essentials for the staffing of units to the level'specified by THE COUNTY, and to provide a method of re-stocking units after each use. F. To provide reimbursement for the general preventive maintenance and vehicle repair for the ambulances used by THE SQUAD to provide services pursuant to this Agreement. This includes vehicles owned by THE SQUAD, but used to provide services under this Agreement. G. To retain full authority and responsibility for the care and treatment of all patients that use the EMS system; and to ensure that professional supervision is given during transportation by THE SQUAD. THE COUNTY'S medical director will supervise and provide medical care direction to THE SQUAD. H. To provide all required health and safety standards including vaccinations 3 6 I for the members of THE SQUAD providing services under this Agreement. I. To establish training and continuing education requirements on a schedule set by the Medical Director which will assure adequate opportunity for maintenance of personnel certification. III. INSURANCE A. THE SQUAD will be responsible for the negligence of its employees and agents. Further, THE COUNTY shall define the amounts and levels of insurance which THE SQUAD shall maintain for the activities performed pursuant to this Agreement as well as the buildings and equipment used to provide services under this Agreement. It shall be at THE COUNTY'S option to either provide the coverage through a policy purchased by THE COUNTY or to reimburse THE SQUAD for insurance policies purchased by them. Any policies of insurance purchased directly by THE SQUAD shall be through an insurance company acceptable to THE COUNTY. IV. - TERM A. This agreement shall run from October 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997, and shall be renewable thereafter upon written agreements executed by both parties. V. TERMINATION A. The Agreement or its renewal may be terminated at any time without penalty by either party provided that written notice of such termination is furnished to the other party at least 60 days prior to termination. In the event of such termination any payment due shall be prorated to the date of termination. VI. MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING A. THE SQUAD and THE COUNTY understand and agree that nothing in this agreement shall be construed to create an exclusive arrangement between the parties, and THE COUNTY is free to provide services by other means. VII. ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING A. The Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties and shall not be altered, amended or modified, except by an agreement in writing executed by the 4 J 7 1 duly authorized officials of both parties. VIII. SITUS A. The laws of North Carolina shall govern the validity and interpretation of the provisions, terms and conditions of this agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto signed this Agreement in their official capacities of the day and year listed below. FOR AND ON BEHALF OF: SOUTH ORANGE EMS AND RESCUE, SQUAD, INC. DATE: RAY deFRIESS CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR AN ON BEHALF OF: ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA DATE: MOSES CAREY, JR. CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ATTEST: BEVERLY A. BLYTHE CLERK TO THE BOARD 5