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Polk reinstates medical responders
Published 6:10pm Wednesday, February 13, 2013She said most volunteers in the county want to continue their education and become EMTs. She also said there are approximately 60 volunteers in the EMS system while years ago there were 40 volunteers.
“We have, and I still believe this, one of the best EMS systems and what makes us different are these people, be it paid or volunteers, care about the people,” Halford said. “I’ve seen them hold peoples’ hands, go to their house and let their dogs out. People in this system care. We are unique from all other systems. We have people come from other areas who can’t believe we have people take the time with the patients. Please keep that in mind. I hate to see that change.”
Following the medical responder discussion, Gasperson expressed concerns that the medical director advertisement doesn’t require the person to be endorsed by the hospital.
“None of us has expertise in medicine and I think we need the hospital’s endorsement,” said Gasperson. “I want to make sure that endorsement plays a vital role.”
Pack said he thinks the advertisement is clear that it can be from the hospital or a local medical group.
“I don’t think we need to narrow it down to just the hospital,” Pack said.
Gasperson said he thinks it’s critical and thinks if the county doesn’t have an endorsement from the hospital, “we look foolish.”
Holbert asked Gasperson if he is suggesting the county turn EMS over to the hospital.
“If they are going to dictate how it goes, why don’t they just run it,” Holbert asked.
Gasperson said he doesn’t think the hospital would take EMS.
Commissioner Owens said it sort of sounds like the hospital makes the choice, not the county.
“You’re saying if they don’t have the endorsement of the hospital then we don’t want them?” said Owens. “They may not have the hospital’s endorsement but it may be the only choice we’ve got.”
Gage asked who is responsible for EMS.
“We are,” other commissioners said.
“Then we should make the choice.”
Gasperson suggested the county asked Dr. Owens to stay on another 90 days then have a committee established to discuss some of the issues.
Commissioners Dr. Owens said Owens was given that choice and she was welcome to stay on. “She chose the 15th (of February) deadline, not us,” Owens said.
“She was given the opportunity to stay on until we found someone else,” said Owens.
@ “Nurse” I am sorry that you felt offended by Mr. Pack’s comments about nurses. It seems to me that you have not done your homework. In turn it is very offensive the way you are talking about Medical Responders or as you called them “untrained ambulance drivers/medical responders.” They are trained and very capable people. One man who comes to mind is William Henry Page from Green Creek who has saved many lives during his 25+ years of service as an EMT and Medical Responder. Medical Responders are certified through the state or NC and they take the same inservice training that an EMT does. EMT’s and Medical Responders operate on standing orders & protocols so they don’t have to have doctors order to treat a patient.
Mr. Pack has lost my support. Apparently he has no idea what happens in the medical field or a hospital. The comment about the nurses was rotten, even to be used as an example. Nurses are highly trained, unlike the untrained ambulance drivers/medical responders he is comparing them to.
Dr. Owens is an easy-going person but there are standards she followed. Do you want your doctor (or the county’s medical director) to be wishy-washy and cave in on following life-saving standards? Would that be okay with you if it was your loved one that was being cared for? Would you prefer the untrained medical “ambulance driver” to assist hands-on in saving your life, or someone who knows what he or she is doing and can provide the best possible care out in the field in unpredictable circumstances? Think about it before you pass judgment.
Clearly our new County Commissioners are fearless. And I cannot imagine why on earth Dr. Allison wouldn’t be willing to stay on indefinitely after all the nice things that our Commissioners said about her. She obviously isn’t sufficiently easy going.