Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-278 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY , FLORIDA MEMORANDUM TO : Joseph Baird , County Administrator FROM : John King , Director� Department of Emer ncy �Services DATE . October 27 , 2009 SUBJECT : Memorandum of Agreement to Provide Adult and Child Immunization Services This past weekend a Presidential Declaration of a National Health Emergency was enacted regarding the H1N1 Swine Flu . Federal funding and vaccines have been provided to the Florida Department of Health to lessen the impacts of the H1N1 novel virus within the general populace . Recognizing that the traditional health care system resources will become overburdened should this influenza illness continue to propagate , the Florida Department of Health is implementing public health measures by providing free mass vaccination clinics within each of the 67 counties . Insofar as there are limited skilled nurses within the state health care system , a request for off- duty paramedics to assist in these vaccination clinics has been received . Under Florida law paramedics and nurses must operate under the direction of a medical director . The attached agreement defines off-duty paramedics as Other Professional Services employees working for and under the direction of the Indian River County Health Department (CHD) . During this assignment they are not working as employees of the Emergency Services District or Indian River County . This is a voluntary off-duty assignment . Issues related to hours , wages , and working conditions are between the off-duty paramedics and CHD . The District has no obligations other than our commitment to assist in coordinating our off-duty paramedics ' immunization training and their participation within the free clinics . RECOMMENDATION . The Florida Department of Health needs licensed and skilled health care workers to support the mass vaccination clinics . For this reason I am recommending you execute the attached Memorandum of Agreement to Provide Adult and Child Immunization Services , which makes available county resources (paramedics ) to this Presidential order . Attachments : 2 Original Memorandums of Agreement APPROVE ; a Date : Ai6ie Josep A . Baird County Administrator Indian River Co . Approved Date Legal Budget Dept , kU l f • • i � . J ` Risk Mgr . trim I ►\� moms General Svcs . MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE ADULT AND CHILD IMMUNIZATION SERVICES This Memorandum of Agreement ( " MOA" ) is entered into between the State of Florida , Department of Health , Indian River County Health Department (the " Department" ) , and Indian River County Emergency Services District ( " Emergency Services " ) . WHEREAS , there have been reported cases of the H1N1 flu strain in Indian River County ; and WHEREAS , the Department of Health is urging all citizen to get flu vaccinations as a preventative measure against the flu ; and WHEREAS , the Department is in need of additional trained personnel to staff mass vaccination clinics ; and WHEREAS , Emergency Services Paramedics are trained to administer vaccinations and due to their work schedules , and Paramedics could assist the Department in giving vaccinations ; and THEREFORE , THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS : A . The Department Agrees : 1 ) to provide training for the Adult & Child Immunization Services to Emergency Services Paramedics ; 2 ) to provide public health nurses who will assist in organizing vaccination services to the population , and who will do problem solving and answer technical medical questions raised by persons seeking vaccinations as needed by telephone or in person ; and 3 ) to provide a list to the Director of Emergency Services of those Paramedics who have successfully passed the Adult and Child Immunization Training . 4 ) that as OPS Employees , paramedics will become agents of the state and are covered under 768 . 28 of Florida Statutes . In addition , once the U . S . Department of Health and Human Services issues the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness ( PREP ) Act , liability protection will be to groups and individuals involved in the administration of the vaccine . The PREP Act authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services ( " Secretary " ) to issue a declaration ( " PREP Act declaration " ) that provides immunity from tort liability ( except for willful misconduct ) for claims of loss caused , arising out of , relating to , or resulting from administration or use of countermeasures to diseases , threats and conditions determined by the Secretary to constitute a present , or credible risk of a future public health emergency to entities and individuals involved in the development , manufacture , testing , distribution , administration , and use of such countermeasures . B . Fire Rescue Agrees : 1 ) to permit Paramedics to provide Adult and Child Immunization Services in accordance with Department guidelines , and each assigned paramedic shall have successfully completed and passed the Department ' s Adult and Child Immunization Training , 2 ) to properly record and maintain confidentiality of all patient data , files , and records , as required by the Department and HIPAA ; 3 ) to be responsible for proper storage and handling of the vaccine . C . Fire Rescue and The Department Mutually Agree : 1 ) Paramedics will be OPS employees of the Health Department for mass vaccination clinics and not working as employees of Indian River County Emergency Services District or Indian River County . 2 ) The effective date of this MOA is the date on which it is signed by both parties ; and 3) the MOA may be terminated by either party without cause upon fourteen ( 14 ) days written notice , unless mutually agreed otherwise . 4 ) The MOA may be terminated for non - performance or cause upon twenty -four ( 24 ) hours written notice . 5 ) This MOA contains all the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties . There are no provisions , terms , conditions , or obligations other than those contained herein , and the Agreement shall supersede all previous communications , representations , or agreements . THE PARTIES hereto have caused this MOA to be executed by their undersigned officials as duly authorized . Department : Fire - Rescue : Miran a Swanson , Administrator J n King , Ir than River County Emergency Se es Di ctor Ohgim fogat • `a ` Date DateAM .� I cull Jdseph A . Baird County Administrator Roger Nicosia , D . O Medical Director , Indian River County Fire Rescue !% Date Date Approved as to form and legal sufficiency : By i Liam K. eBraa Assistant County Attorney