Vernon County Ambulance District recognizes personnel who administered 'clinical save'

Vernon County Emergency Medical Technicians Anthony Surratt, Sarah Castro-Pool, and Katie Towne pose for a picture with Rick Conner. The trio are credited with providing Conner with life-saving emergency care — "clinical save" — during an incident that occurred on Nov. 13, 2021. The three EMT's intiated "immediate and effective care that resulted in the restoration of vital signs in a patient whose death was otherwise imminent."

Photo by Sarah Haney | Daily Mail Editor

The Vernon County Amublance District Board met in regular session Thursday evening, with a special presentation taking place before the meeting was called to order.

Assistant Director Roger Floyd read a citation defining what a 'clinical save' is and recognized three Vernon County Emergency Medical Technicians for their efforts, which resulted in a clinical save of patient Rick Conner on Nov. 13, 2021.

On that day, "Vernon County Sheriff's Office dispatched our crew to a residence where a patient had collapsed and wasn't responding," stated Floyd. "Sarah Castro-Pool, EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician-Basic) was attending a baby shower at the VFW post and upon seeing the call come across her phone, realized the residence was right next door to her location. Sarah knew the importance of early treatment, so she decided to go and see what she could do to help. Upon entering the residence, she found the patient lying on the floor with no pulse and she immediately started CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Once the ambulance arrived, she continued to assist the crew.”

Responding on the ambulance crew were Anthony Surratt (EMT/Paramedic) and Katie Towne (EMT-B).

Seeing that CPR was a progress, protocol was established to administer advanced cardiac care. “Administering the appropriate medications, cardiac defibrilation, and continuing CPR, the patient was loaded into their ambulance and transported to Nevada Regional Medical Center landing bed to meet up with the MedFlight crew,” continued Floyd. “In route, during the administration of this care, the patient had return of spontaneous circulation only to go back into cardiac arrest — and this happened twice.”

Floyd went on to state that the ambulance crew took the patient to NRMC for further medical care and to await the arrival of the flight crew.

“We want to honor these three people for their dedication to service, knowledge and skill of their profession, and total selfless determination to save a life,” added Floyd.

All three medical personnel were honored and recognized with a certificate and a plaque distinguishing their accomplishment of a “clinical save.”

Following the presentation, the regular meeting was called to order. Director Leland Splitter asked for a moment of silence in honor of board member Darrell Hillier, who passed away on Wednesday, July 13. Discussion was held to determine how to honor Hillier for his time on the board and service to the district.

Treasurer Chris Mason went over his report and noted the following financials for the month of June 2022:

• Taxes collected for the month: $3,637.47

• Billing income for the month: $112,463.08

• Other income: $1,706.42

• Restitution McKenzie/Werner: $230.77

• Interest income: $0.53

• Total income for month: $118,038.27

• Bills paid for month: $63,493.36

• Payroll expenses for month: $90,920.59

• Billing Service: $7,519.42

• Total expenses for month: $161,933.37

• Net Income: -$43,895.10

• First National Bank Account: $4,310.97

• Community National Bank Account: $115,461.77

• Community National Bank Reserve Account: $200,865

• Total balance of all bank accounts as of June 30, 2022: $320,637.74

While going over the proposed bills, Splitter explained how some items are out of stock and how costs have gone up in the past year by comparing the price of items a year ago with how much they cost today. “Combitubes that EMT’s use for an airway, a case of those in May 2021 cost us $356.52,” stated Splitter. “That was for four combitubes. If we ordered that today, it’s $567.80.”

Splitter went onto to note that a case of alcohol prep pads in May 2021 was $65. Today, they are $79.80. Epinephrine, in a pack of 10, was $101.30 a year ago. Today, even though they aren’t currently in stock for several months, are $434.97. “They went up 30-some bucks a pop,” noted Splitter.

Fourth quarter and yearly write-offs were also discussed in the meeting.

The year end contractual allowances for 2021-2022 were as follows: Medicare ($28,356.29); VA ($74,951.73); Medicaid ($323.733.57); Commercial ($416,187.31); Private Pay ($162,403.87); and Total Contractual Allowances ($1,005,632.77).

The year end write offs for 2021-2022 were as follows: Medicare ($226,832.89); VA ($59,640.52); Medicaid ($1,102,353.72); Commercial ($178,989.84); Private Pay ($712,414.03); and Total Write Offs ($2,280,231). This makes a grand total of $3,285,863.77 in year end contractual allowances and write offs for 2021-2022.

In his Supervisor’s Report, Splitter noted the following information for runs in June 2022:

• NRMC Transports: 136

• Direct Transports: 11

• Flights: 4

• Transfers: 32

For non-transports:

• Dry Runs in County: 76

• Refusal of Care: 46

• Call Cancelled: 9

• Lift Assist: 7

• Community Activities/PR: 4

• Fire Standby: 1

• Other: 9

• Total Runs for Month: 259

• Total Runs for Year: 3,103