KBEMS passes over regulation package

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Board of EMS struck a review of proposed administrative regulations from their agenda at a special board meeting in Frankfort this afternoon.

County Judge Executive Anthony Stratton, chairman of the board, explained that the decision was made following a discussion in a work session held this morning "In order to have the public put in additional input."

Stratton asked the regulation committee to review and approve their final recommendations as soon as possible, and ordered the final documents to be placed on KBEMS Internet site "as recommended by the regulations committee going to the board." Stratton said this would allow the public to see the documents at the same time the board did.

Stratton also directed that there be a mechanism for public comment.

The regulations scheduled to be reviewed and approved today included a wide range of topics, from board organization, fees, and disciplinary action to the regulation of EMTs and education.

Privately, some members of the board complained that the thick document was only given to them during the past few days, leaving little time to review the contents or seek comments from those that they represent. There was also some concern that the written documents did not adequately reflect what was agreed upon at the regulation committee meetings.

Stratton also ordered that a letter be mailed to every EMT and ambulance service that would explain the process that these regulations would take, along with sending one copy of the proposed regulations to each ambulance service that did not have Internet access.

KBEMS staff expressed concern about the cost of such a mailing, which they estimated could cost $16,000.

"This impacts every person in Kentucky, and that's $16,000 well spent," said board member Michael Swift.

However, "We can't do anything today because it's not on the agenda," Stratton said. "We'll put this on the agenda for next time."

In other action, 

• The board authorized interviews and recommendations for the position of state medical advisor. Three applications have already been received. The board also authorized negotiations with Julia Martin, MD, Stephen Bernardi, MD, and Barbara Reynolds, MD, for the position of interim state medical advisor.
• The board promoted Charles O'Neal to the position of Deputy Executive Director, a non-merit position created by House Bill 469.
• The board swore in two new board members: John Blumenstock, representing air medical providers, and Bill Martin, who represents fire-based EMS services. A third new member, Jamie Locke, was absent from the meeting.
• The board approved a list of training institutions. The training institutions were not named, and the Kentucky EMS Connection was cautioned that this list was "not an all-inclusive list." The board approved placing a complete list on KBEMS' Internet site.
• The board agreed that physicians who are board certified by AAMS or AAPS could be considered for a waiver of the ACLS, PALS, and BTLS requirements for medical directors.
• The board authorized filling the EMS Education Training Supervisor position.
• Executive Director Brian Bishop reported that "We actually now have a building." Bishop said a lease has been signed and the contractor is preparing to modify the internal structures. Bishop anticipates moving within 60 days. The new building is located just south of I-64 on old highway 127. The building, however, will not accommodate board meetings, although room in the building is available for future use.

The agenda identified Robertson County as a discussion item. However, some board members stated that Robertson County was not listed on their copy of the agenda. The agenda published on KBEMS Internet site did include the item, along with a notation that the document was last modified yesterday at 4:54 p.m. The item was not discussed.

Absent from today's meeting were board members Bob Dixon, Dr. Mary Fallat, and Jamie Locke.

The next scheduled meeting will be held in Owensboro at the Kentucky EMS Conference and Expo on Sept. 10 at 7:00 p.m. CDT. There will also be a 5:30 p.m. work session before the meeting.

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