TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a Cardiac Care Program Equipment Agreement and subsequent amendments with the County of Los Angeles to purchase 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment; and provide staff training to ensure EKG capability in pre-hospital care for 9-1-1 patients. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On September 21, 2006, the City was in receipt of a letter from the County of Los Angeles Emergency Medical Services Agency announcing the Board of Supervisors approval of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Receiving Center Program.
The goal of the program is to identify 9-1-1 cardiac patients experiencing a STEMI in the prehospital setting and transport them to an approved STEMI Receiving Center (SRC) hospital for definitive diagnosis and treatment. To be successful in accomplishing this goal, each advanced life support (ALS) unit must be equipped with 12-Lead electrocardiogram (EKG) capability and staffed with paramedics trained in its use.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors also authorized Cardiac Care Program Equipment Agreements to provide reimbursement of equipment and training costs for paramedic and First Responders in local fire departments in order to ensure 12-Lead EKG capability in pre hospital care for 9-1-1 patients in Los Angeles County.
City Council approval is being requested to authorize the City Manager to execute a Cardiac Care Program Equipment Agreement and subsequent amendments with the County of Los Angeles, purchase fourteen and upgrade twelve 12-Lead EKG units and train paramedic and emergency medical technician (EMT) personnel. The County will reimburse the costs of the equipment and training, with the exception of six of the upgrades, which were already budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2007 (FY 07) Fire Department budget. This will allow the Fire Department to place a 12-Lead EKG unit on all nine Rescue ambulances, all ten Paramedic assessment engines and Rescue Boat 1. The Department will retain six spares to avoid any loss in service ability. This will allow the Department to more effectively identify 9-1-1 cardiac patients and transport them to a SRC hospital for definitive diagnosis and treatment, improving patient outcome. The current monitors only have 3 leads and do not provide the carbon dioxide evaluation and pacing ability of the new units.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard F. Anthony on November 6, 2006 and by Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on November 6, 2006.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 14, 2006, as the agreement has a limited term for reimbursement of equipment and completion of training. The 12-Lead EKG equipment must be purchased by December 31, 2006 and the training must be completed by June 30, 2007.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost for the requested activity is $344,010. The County of Los Angeles will reimburse the Fire Department up to $300,000 for the 12-lead EKG equipment and up to $44,010 for reimbursement of staff training. As neither the acquisition cost nor the overtime for staff training is currently budgeted, an appropriation increase of $344,010 will be requested as a quarterly budget adjustment once reimbursement is received from the County of Los Angeles. There will be no net impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DAVID W. ELLIS
FIRE CHIEF
|
APPROVED: |
|
|
|
|
|
GERALD R. MILLER |
|
CITY MANAGER |