December 14, 2006

Welcome & Overview

Meeting called to order at 1:00 PM by Jan Victorson, Chair.  The meeting was held at Cable Community Centre, Cable, WI.  Jan welcomed the group. She reviewed the past meeting and addressed today’s agenda.

Introductions

All of the participants introduced themselves.

Approval of Minutes

Meeting minutes from 10/26/06 were reviewed.  Motion made by Brian Cody and seconded by Keith Kesler to approve the minutes. Motion carried. 

State Update

Refer to STAC Minutes from 12/6/06 (separate attachment).  Highlights:

¨      HRSA Update

¨      WARDS electronic ambulance reporting

¨      PI Guidelines

¨      Trauma Registry Update

¨      Regional Trauma Plans

Website Update

Sarah and Tom Waby, website managers, request pictures and events that can be posted.  Email items to Merrilee at mcarlson@ashlandmmc.com and she will forward items to Sarah for posting on the website.  Also feel free to give suggestions and/or comments via Merrilee.  Please visit the website at www.lsrtac.com  

Performance Improvement Overview & Case Studies

Janice Schade gave a PowerPoint presentation including two case studies. It was well-received with an enthusiastic discussion among those present.

LSRTAC Project Coordinator Report

Dan Diamon gave a review of RTAC Coordinators group activities.  Please refer to RTAC Coordinators Minutes from 10/10/06 (separate attachment).  

¨      Triage Tuesday continues to be implemented and used.  Patient tracking through the system needs more education done.  More discussions with ambulance services and hospitals are needed along with follow-up.

¨      Peds Champions.  Each ambulance service is asked to designate a member to follow pediatric patient needs and provider education.  PEPP courses are needed for them to take.

¨      Discussion regarding outreach education needs for public and provider education.

¨      Trauma Registry Workshops are scheduled for March 7 and May 14 from 1 to 4 PM at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.  More information will be forthcoming.

¨      Site Verification Training workshops were held Nov 10 and Dec 7 in Barron.  It was well-received and there was positive feedback on the programs.  Several individuals were involved from three regional RTACs.  This meets one of our contract deliverables from the State.

¨      TOPIC Course will be held Friday, 2/9/07, at the Sheraton in Madison for those involved with Trauma Registry.

Communications Pilot Project

Communications Interoperability Pilot Project (OJA) still continues for Lake Superior RTAC.  The purpose is to establish standardized radio frequencies for specific purposes to enhance communications in a disaster.  The committee is working with Paul Wittkamp.  The committee is working with agencies throughout the region to match OJA Grant funds.  They are also working with Helicopter services changing to state suggested frequencies. 

Helicopter Issues

Life Link III

John Huitt states there is a need for additional helicopter services in our region.  Life Link III is committed to establishing a base in early 2007 in the Hayward and Shell Lake area.  There has been an increase in the number of calls and patient flow between the Twin Cities, EauClaire, Marshfield, and Duluth.

Regional MCI Planning

OJA has established a need for planning MCI events.  OJA is looking for a package idea with grant funding for the northwest region (11 counties).  Motion made by Brian Cody and seconded by Brad Keseluk to have the Executive Council move forward with establishing a package for OJA.  Motion carried.

Significant Exposure

Discussion regarding the development of regional standardized significant exposure guidelines.  This would allow more streamlined care and follow-up for patient flow patterns and caretakers involved.  Motion made by Karen Hansen and seconded by Brian Cody to investigate the issue of a regional significant exposure plan that includes Public Health.  Motion carried.

Buying Cooperative

NCEMSC is a Minnesota-based buying cooperative.  Rob Puls states that Great Divide Ambulance has saved thousands of dollars and has had great customer service.  It is suggested that LSRTAC look into an association with them for our region.

Future Meeting Dates

Next meeting will be:

     2/15/06      1-4 PM    Cable Community Centre      Cable, WI

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.  Motion to adjourn made by Karen Hansen and seconded by Rob Puls.  Motion carried.