Resolution 2023-053 authorizing the renewal execution of a 48-month service agreement for Advanced Life Support Providers and James Stubblefield, MD, with a year 1 cost of $14,000 and authorize the city manager to enter into a four-year renewal agreement to maintain the program, not to exceed $62,000 (life of the contract)

For our Advanced Life Support Paramedic program to exist, oversight by a qualified medical professional must occur to administer controlled substances to patients in our care. We have a continued working relationship with James Stubblefield, M.D., and are looking to renew the existing contract, encompassing six other peninsula agencies.

Prescribing Physician Paramedic First Responder Agencies 

Qualifications:

Possession of a valid license issued by the Board of Medical Examiners of the State of California to practice as a physician with significant experience in the practice of emergency medicine. Board Certified in Emergency Medicine is highly desirable. Have appropriate authorizations/registrations with the Drug Enforcement Agency to enable the agency to obtain and administer controlled substances.

Duties:

1. Procedure for processing appropriate Drug Enforcement Agency Forms. This includes maintaining appropriate registration with the DEA to allow us to order, maintain an inventory of, administer, and dispose of narcotics that are within the paramedic’s scope of practice. Also includes having liability under his physician’s license for the narcotics under our control.
2. Oversight procedures for distribution and inventory tracking of controlled substances Assist in developing and updating our narcotics control policy and our narcotics inventory management system. Perform a monthly audit of our inventory reports and a quarterly on-site inspection to verify inventory and controls.
3. Review and sign Drug Enforcement Agency controlled substance forms for agencies that request such assistance and comply with established procedures. Provide us with the required forms to place orders for and dispose of narcotics under his physician’s license. Ensure that we are compliant with all DEA regulations related to these processes.
4. Prescribing Physician for provision of prehospital care requirements. See above.
5. Provides medical liaison between the departments and the Monterey County EMS Agency in this regard. Represents our interests with the Monterey County EMS Agency on all aspects that pertain to our provision of Emergency Medical Services. This can include assisting us with any investigations being done by County EMS on incidents involving our personnel, speaking “doctor to doctor” with the County’s Medical Director on related issues, and supporting us with desired changes to County EMS Protocols and Procedures. He also is available to us for questions on the interpretation of Protocols and Policies and general advice on Emergency Medicine. Attendance at monthly meetings with all the provider agencies and the Medical Director to ensure open and regular communications. This part of the scope makes it imperative that the physician serving in this capacity has in-depth familiarity with Emergency Medical Services systems and regulations, Monterey County protocols, and Monterey County EMS policies and procedures. Familiarity with the personnel and other agencies in Monterey County involved in EMS is very helpful. There is a great benefit in having these services provided to a group of provider agencies as that represents a larger segment of the system and ensures a unified approach by agencies with similar concerns and needs.

• Year one of the contract from 2023 to 2024 is $14,000
• Year two of the contract from 2024 to 2025 is $15,000
• Year three of the contract from 2025 to 2026 is $16,000
• Year four of the contract from 2026 to 2027 is $17,000

Total cost for the life of the contract is $62,000. Payments will be made in two semi-annual installments of one-half of the annual fee each.