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Supervisors give conceptual approval to amend EMS ordinance for physician-directed interfacility transports
Summary
The board granted conceptual approval to amend county Ordinance Chapter 8.74 to allow nonemergency interfacility patient transports to be staffed at a level determined by the treating physician, with staff asked to return with ordinance language for formal adoption.
El Dorado County supervisors on April 7 gave conceptual approval to revise county Ordinance Chapter 8.74 governing emergency medical services so that nonemergency interfacility transports can be staffed at the level of service a physician determines appropriate.
CAO/EMS staff explained that current code requires advanced life support staffing for all transports, including interfacility moves; the proposed change would permit lower staffing levels for cases where the physician responsible for the patient signs off on a reduced level of care. Staff noted the request seeks "conceptual" approval so the ordinance can be revised with stakeholders and then brought back to the board for formal adoption.
Supervisor comment and vote: Supervisors supported the change as a way to better allocate limited EMS resources and free advanced-level responders for higher-acuity calls. The board voted to give conceptual approval by consensus (4-0; Supervisor Lane absent). Staff will draft the ordinance amendments and return for a future hearing and formal adoption.
