RESOLUTION NO. 100603

Opposing the proposed promulgation of state regulations that establish emergency medical system protocols.

WHEREAS, the City has an emergency medical system for the provision of an advanced life support ambulance transport system and a basic life support emergency responder service; and

WHEREAS, the Emergency Medical Services Coordinating Committee (EMSCC), the Medical Director and the Fire Department are responsible for the City’s emergency medical system; and

WHEREAS, the City establishes emergency medical system protocols though the EMSCC upon the recommendation of the Medical Director after the Director’s consultation with the Emergency Physicians Advisory Board (EPAB); and,

WHEREAS, the City has emergency medical system protocols for patients suffering heart attacks including STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction) and stroke patients; and

WHEREAS, the City believes that to best protect the safety and health of its citizens it is important that it have full authority and local control over all segments of patient care in its emergency medical services system, which includes the promulgation of emergency medical system protocols; and,

WHEREAS, the State through the Department of Health and Senior Services is proposing regulations that would supersede certain of the City’s emergency medical system protocols, including proposed regulations for the transport of STEMI and stroke patients and the establishment of a community based or regional plan for emergency medical services for trauma, STEMI or stroke; and

WHEREAS, the City is concerned that the State’s promulgation of regulations establishing emergency medical system protocols seriously interferes with the City’s authority over, and local control of, its emergency medical system; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:   

That the City opposes the promulgation of state regulations that would establish protocols superseding any of the City’s emergency medical system protocols. The City Manager is instructed to direct appropriate city staff and the City’s state lobbyist to take what action is deemed necessary to oppose any such proposed regulations.

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