5/10/1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I. Levy, D.O., Medical Director and President of the referenced company. The Company is seeking approval of the requested certificate to provide both BLS and ALS transport into Indian River County. Dr. Levy has communicated with officers of the various EMS providers in the County and has made a presentation to the Emergency Services Coordinating Committee at a prior meeting. On April 13, 1988, this, writer traveled to Port St. Lucie and inspected the emergency transport vehicles and facility currently being utilized by On -Call Ambulance Company. The vehicle inspected was found to be equipped with items specified in Chapter 10D-66, Florida Administrative Code. The vehicle and facility were found to be clean, neat, and well organized presenting a professional appear- ance. The vehicles are not equipped with medical communications (MedCom) frequencies at this time. A cellular telephone is used for communications with the area hospitals. On -Call Ambulance Company, Inc., began operation on January 1, 1988. Currently two vehicles are utilized for a service oriented towards inter -facility ALS transfers. Seven staff are currently employed. Four paramedics and two EMT's are employed on a part-time schedule with one administrative staff employed on a full-time basis. A review was made of recent run sheets. The documents were found to be thorough and complete in terms of necessary information. A fee schedule was submitted and is attached for review. The base rate for BLS service is $100.00 with mileage assessed at a rate of $3.50 per mile. A $15.00 charge for oxygen is also reflected on the fee schedule. The ALS service base rate is $200.00 with charges for mileage and oxygen the same as earlier stated. Financial documents related to On -Call Ambulance Company, Inc., current status are attached for review. On -Call Ambulance Company, Inc., was issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on September 1, 1987, for -ALS -transport services. HRS issued an Advance Life Support License #262 to the ambulance service on December 31, 1987 for ALS transport. Dr. Levy has indicated verbally and in writing that his company is interested in providing ALS and BLS transport from Indian River Memorial Hospital to other hospital facilities and in no way intend to supplant or infringe upon. the existing ambulance services in Indian River County. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS As specified in Indian River County ordinance #87-66, an investigation was conducted and service providers contacted for input. The general consensus was that the volunteer ambulance squads should be permitted to explore the expansion of their service to include the inter -facility transfer service. The volunteer entities feel that in some cases additional revenue can be generated for providing this service, although they understand that pre -hospital emergency transport has priority. If the volunteers cannot provide the inter- facility transport service, they feel that one of the hospitals should be given the opportunity to service their need. A mayor concern of all interviewed relate to the indigent patient. The volunteers do not feel that the On -Call Ambulance Company would be willing to transport the indigent patient, taking the paying individ- uals and leaving those without resources to be transported by the vol- unteers. MAY 1 0 198 i6- 20 Roof 72 Ft jI 300