Orange County EMS Office of the Medical Director

Orange County EMS Office of the Medical Director George A. Ralls MD Medical Director Orange County EMS System

Objectives • Describe roles within the office • Explain the primary scope of activities • Provide an update on OCEMS System operations

²Orange County Fire Rescue ²Orlando Fire Department ²Reedy Creek Emergency Services ²Rural-Metro Ambulance ²Health Central Ambulance ²Apopka Fire Department ²Winter Garden Fire Department ²Ocoee Fire Department ²GOAA

The Orange County EMS System • Approximately 2000 EMT’s and Paramedics • 200, 000 EMS calls yearly • 95, 000 transports

Office of the Medical Director • A division of the Orange County Health & Family Services Department • Primary mission – Provide Medical Direction (per FAC 64 -E) for all agencies participating in the OC EMS System – Create a high level standard of care throughout Orange County

Medical Direction

Orange County EMS System Medical Treatment Protocols • Evidence Based • Updated version in effect Sept. 1, 2008

Quality Management

06 -07 Cardiac Arrest Summary

April 2008 average offload time 8 minutes in focused study at four busiest ER’s

Education & Research

• Continuing Education for EMTs and Paramedics – On-line, classroom, and face-to-face teaching • Teaching environment for physicians in training – ORMC and Florida Hospital resident physician rotation in EMS – FSU Medical student electives in EMS and EMS research

§ Lead to statewide requirement for use of a monitoring device to improve patient safety

Disaster Planning & Response

• Orange County Health & Medical disaster coordination (ESF-8) • Maintain PSN registry • Over 3400 OC citizens registered • Disaster Management Assistance Team • Urban Area Security Initiative-Medical Lead • Region 5 Domestic Security Taskforce

Other Activities • EMS related COPCN review and submissions • EMS System enhancements through grant opportunities – Over $300, 000 for EMS enhancements annually • Public health initiatives – Orange County Medical Clinic – AHA Certified Training Center • Approximately 5000 certifications processed in ’ 07 -’ 08 • Liaison with clinical and administrative hospital personnel

Summary • The office provides Medical Direction and support to OCEMS System agencies • Roles and responsibilities are diverse • Positive trends in key clinical indicators • Offload delays significantly improved • EMS protocols updated Sept. 2008