Memorandum
Date: March 7, 2023
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Jonathan Portney, Health Services Director
Subject: Discussion and Consideration of potential funding source for Mike Marsh EMS Consulting in the amount of $20,000 for emergency ambulance strike team support through Regional Disaster Management Services Association (Resource Order Request) to decompress two overwhelmed hospitals during Emergency Proclamation (Winter Storm)
Executive Summary:
Mike Marsh Consulting Cost ($20,000)
Adventist Hospital Cost/Reimbursement ($21,913.02)
Sutter Hospital Cost/Reimbursement ($3,277.03)
I am writing to recommend that our rural remote county covers the costs for an emergency ambulance strike team to clear two hospitals in our area.
As you are aware, our county faces unique challenges due to its remote location and limited access to healthcare resources. Recently, two of our local hospitals had become overwhelmed with patients, leaving them unable to provide adequate care to those in need. This situation was particularly concerning in light of no available Inter Facility Transfers operating in the county during the Emergency Declaration (Winter Storm), which placed a county-wide strain on our healthcare system and emergency responders.
To address this issue, we will assess lessons learned in an After Action Report developed in collaboration with our Health Care Coalition. This team would consist of trained paramedics and other medical professionals who assist with patient transport and care. As the Medical Health Operations Area Coordinator, It is clear we need to be able to alleviate some of the pressure on our local hospitals and ensure that patients receive the care they need promptly, especially when we are in a disaster situation with many elements working against healthcare and critical access.
While there would be some costs associated with implementing this program, I believe that the benefits would far outweigh the expenses. By investing in Local Emergency Medical Services, we would be taking a proactive approach to addressing the healthcare needs of our community, particularly during times of crisis. Moreover, this organizational assessment, AAR, and investment could save lives and reduce the overall burden on our healthcare system.
Therefore, I strongly recommend that our county covers the costs for Mike Marsh EMS Consulting, assess our local ambulatory resources, and support the health department and future contractors’ assessment and recommendations made based on the After Action Report to be presented in the near future.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
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Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Direction to staff to return with an Agreement for payment for Mike Marsh EMS consulting at $20,000.00 and direction on where payment should come from considering an Emergency Declaration was in place and rapid response was needed to fill an unmet need in the county. Support the Health Department in engaging in the After Action Report and consider recommendations to enhance our local emergency response systems.