Wisconsin Office of Rural Health Rural Community Grants Final Report

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1 Wisconsin Office of Rural Health Rural Community Grants Final Report Project Title Organization that received the grant Responders for Hilbert and Potter St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Grant type (planning or implementation) and amount Implementation ($12, ) I. REPORT SUMMARY The primary goal of the project was to expand Responder care in Calumet County, WI with a focus on expanding the Hilbert Potter Response Group s regional coverage with an additional six Responders (EMR) and equipment. The outcome was to increase the number of Responders, providing additional regional medical resources to uncovered townships and reducing the response time of medical personnel. The most effective way to do this was to focus on the regionalization of the service. A number of activities needed to take place in order for the project to be implemented. This included the following: 1. Meet with the municipalities in the uncovered areas to explain the necessity. 2. Recruit individuals to commit to joining the organization and receive training. 3. Purchase necessary equipment for volunteers to utilize. 4. Assist the Hilbert/Potter Responders (HPEMR) in planning for sustainability These activities were relatively straight forward. Initially Calumet Center (CMC), and CMC Ambulance Service administration met with Gold Cross Ambulance (currently manages CMC Ambulance Service) administration to identify the service area s EMR needs. Next Doug Schoen, Captain of the volunteer organization Hilbert / Potter Responders was contacted for discussion. He quickly identified the need for increased services and strongly agreed with HPEMR becoming a project partner. He would assist with recruiting individuals who were interested in going through the

2 required training. Fox Valley Technical College, Chilton Campus, was the designated training center for volunteer s to receive EMR training. II. REPORT DETAIL We had to deal with several issues in the beginning, which created some delays in getting the project started. However, HPEMR, Hospital, Gold Cross Ambulance and FVTC worked together to continually move forward. By the end of the grant period we were able to meet our goal. As stated earlier, the Project Goal was to expand Responder care in Calumet County by recruiting and training an additional six EMR. The following objectives are from our Work Plan. Objective # 1: Increase number of personnel for Hilbert Potter Response Group Activities Completion Date Responsible Organization Measures Outcomes 1. Recruit additional Volunteers Responders January 2013 Calumet Ctr. and Gold Cross Ambulance Svc. Introduce interested individuals to EMS systems Share the role of the Responder and the partnership with Gold Cross Ambulance Service and Fifteen individuals will sign up for Responder training 2. Enroll individuals in Responder training May 2013 Hilbert Potter EMR s CMC Schedule Responder s training using the approved Wisconsin Curriculum Highly trained Ten individuals will successfully complete Responder training Community Grant Final Report Guidelines 2 of 6

3 Responders will serve the patient care needs in the Hilbert/Potter service area Objective # 2: Purchase equipment for First Responders so they may provide regionally expanded First Responder service. Activities 1. Provide equipment for newly certified Responders 2. Responders begins to provide expanded service. Completion Date April 2013 June 2013 Responsible Organization Hilbert Potter EMR s CMC and HP EMR s Measures Purchase appropriate equipment to meet the level of emergency care which will be provided by the EMR Patients will be treated and transported more rapidly to a higher level of medical care Outcomes Responders will have appropriate equipment consistent with their education and the scope of care they are able to provide emergency treatment Improve outcome of a medical emergency The municipalities that lacked EMR coverage were the Town or Chilton, City of Chilton, Town of Charlestown and the Town of Rantoul. During the first months of the project, we met with representatives of from these municipalities regarding service. While it took more time than originally anticipated, it was time well spent since it allowed the municipalities to understand how the program would benefit their communities. Throughout this time period, HPEMR, Calumet Center, Gold Cross Ambulance and FVTC worked together to continually move forward. As project partners, we knew the impact on residents and were determined to deal with any obstacles that came our way. A measure of the projects was to recruit fifteen (15) individuals for EMR training. A total of twelve (12) participated in EMR or EMT training. Two modifications were made to this measure: Community Grant Final Report Guidelines 3 of 6

4 1. Registration cost for the twelve individuals to take the class was $7530. Calumet Center chose to increase their in-kind contribution from their original plan of $2200 for registration to $ Seven of the twelve trainees elected to be trained at Technicians (EMT) vs. EMR. EMT s are able to provide a higher level of care, and may potentially be utilized for ambulance duty in the future. Colleen Schnell from Fox Valley Technical College was instrumental in facilitating the enrollment of all trainees into the appropriate course. Because of her, the classes were held at FVTC s Chilton Campus, which meant the students were able to take the classes locally and not have to travel a significant distance to class. While there may not be a direct correlation to the classes being held locally, all twelve individuals successfully completed their respective courses. The outcome was for ten students to complete the training and a 100% success rate for this rigorous program is a reflection upon the caliber of the individuals who are now certified EMRs or EMTs. These highly trained Responders are now serving the patient care needs in the regional service area. The second objective was to purchase equipment for the EMRs as they provide expanded regional service. We were fortune as the coalition partners decided to increase (and exceed) the in-kind contribution in this area as well. As a result, the following modifications were made to the budget: 1. Calumet Center chose to donate $2700 worth of VHF pagers and radios. Pagers will alert the EMRs of an emergency call, while radios will allow communication with the dispatch centers. 2. Gold Cross Ambulance Services Heart Start Foundation members elected to donate one Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and match funds on a second to $750. A third AED is purchased through the grant at $ The coalition increased the in-kind contribution $3349 in the equipment area. Other than the number of individuals who enrolled and passed the EMR/EMT training classes, no specific data was gathered. The project s evaluation plan included determining the EMR candidates success based on their ability to meet the entry-level job expectations for an Responder. Passing the course indicates proficient knowledge, attitude and skill set and the corresponding comfort level of the Responder s to put into practice the skills they learn. Most of the equipment costs are one time expenditures. As stated in the midterm report the project is essentially a start up for what will be continued by the group. Additional funds for equipment and supplies will be included in the department s budget. III. INFORMATION AND MATERIALS DEVELOPED Community Grant Final Report Guidelines 4 of 6

5 The Calumet Center outreach coordinator in conjunction with the St. Elizabeth Foundation will send out a press release in October/November of Highlights of the release will include: - The new EMR coverage in previously uncovered area. - The strength of the relationships between Calumet Center, Gold Cross Ambulance Service and rural volunteer EMS. - The importance of Calumet Center and the State of Wisconsin s Office of Rural Health s focus on rural EMS and early access to emergency medical services. - Calumet Center s commitment to the patients of Calumet County. - The dedication and professionalism of rural volunteer EMS, and specifically the Hilbert/Potter EMR group. - The importance of sustainability through cooperative regionalization. IV. FINANCIAL REPORT Complete the table below and include a separate narrative description of how you spent amounts in each category (grant and matching/in-kind). Category Salaries Fringe Benefits Travel (8 x $217.50) Equipment Original Grant Budget Financial Status Report Actual Grant Expenditures (through 8/31) Matching/In Kind Contributions (through 8/31) Total Expenditures (Actual + Matching) $ $ $ $1, $4, Purchase ten (10) $400 per pager $2, $1000 Moved to Supplies *$500 moved from supply, books **$500 moved from Travel to obtain 3 rd AED $2, $ GCA** $ GCA** *6 VHF Radio *6 VHF Pager *GCA Heart Start Foundation **GCA Heart Start Foundation AED Funds $ Community Grant Final Report Guidelines 5 of 6

6 Supplies Consultants/ Contracts $4, Purchase ten (10) First Responder $400 per kit Shane Hughes - Project Liaison time Other Costs $5, (Registration - $550 per person X 10) $3, *Adjusted for equipment overspend in registration, equipment $3, $2,500 $2,500 $5, $3,300 (7 participants) $4, (5 participants) $7, TOTAL $12, $12,455 $24, Funding from The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health allowed the partners to expand the EMR program in Calumet County. Without the grant, the expansion of EMS in the area would have been difficult. Thank you for your support. Community Grant Final Report Guidelines 6 of 6