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the District agreed that an ALS system was desirable. The County <br />didn't have the money; the District did. The District was given <br />the ALS mission; they met the state licensure requirements; and <br />they developed an ALS program which has saved lives and given <br />superb pre -hospital emergency care to the people of this county. <br />This was only possible because of the close geographic match <br />between the County and the District. Now, here we are in 1988, <br />and Dr. Becker stated that the problems in our EMS system can be <br />diminished and possibly even solved by single agency leadership, <br />authority and responsibility. The County has the Hospital <br />District's plan for that, which plan has been approved <br />unanimously by the Hospital Trustees and there is no reason to <br />doubt the Hospital's legislative mandate to lead the EMS nor to <br />doubt their medical smarts and experience which are fundamental <br />to quality patient care. <br />Dr. Becker stressed that quality patient care is their only <br />interest and their only job. There is an unbroken line in the <br />field EMT or paramedics through the emergency room staff, the <br />Medical Director, and the in-patient services. This is a dynamic <br />field where half the knowledge becomes obsolete every 6 years, <br />and you need to rethink your policies and your protocols <br />constantly. There also is no question about the Hospital's <br />skills and efficiency in working with government, Medicare, <br />insurance, and third party reimbursement for health care <br />services. The taxpayer's burden should be diminished by correct <br />collection for medical services, and the District does that now. <br />Dr. Becker agreed there may be some question about the <br />Hospital's sensitivity in interacting with non-medical partners <br />in EMS, but that is nothing new. Whatever final plan is adopted, <br />the players will have to have one leader, and the players must <br />commit to common service. The District Trustees think Mr. <br />O'Grady's team are good and sensitive leaders. The Hospital <br />District has reviewed the other plans, and it is not their <br />position nor to their interest to attack those plans. Dr. Becker <br />9 <br />DEC 2 ®1988 <br />BOOK 75 f G 408 <br />