|
City council approves three new computers for ambulance service
|
|
|
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The Caledonia City Council approved the purchase of three “Toughbook” computers, software and a fax machine for the ambulance service during the Dec. 14 meeting.
Caledonia Area Ambulance Association Director Mike Tornstrom made the presentation to the council. Tornstrom listed numerous advantages for purchasing the portable computer systems, that will be able to be used in the ambulances.
The price tag for the three computers, software and a fax machine was approximately $12,000. The ambulance service was able to obtain a $6,400 grant from the Arlin Faulk Foundation. The grant was written by Kathy Nelson.
“This is a very important improvement for us since it adds the component of information technology to us,” Tornstrom explained. “Currently we complete our Patient Care Reports by hand, they then sit for about a week before they are processed and then mailed to Winona Ambulance Service to be billed out. Winona does our billing.
“Furthermore, the state requires every ambulance report/run to be entered into the state data system within 30 days,” Tornstrom continued. “Our current process is that we pay one of the attendants to re-enter this information (patient care report) into the system. The cost for this service is $1,700 to $2,000 per year.
“With the new computers and software we will be able to instantly enter the information eliminating the need to re-enter data,” Tornstrom added.
Other benefits of the new system included:
• Information storage, reports will be stored electronically; allows information to be pulled up from anywhere --Winona Ambulance for billing or from the ambulance director to do quality analysis.
• Insurance and HIPPA signatures from patients or families will always be on file (electronically).
• Computer reporting improves legibility of reports -- some people have neater handwriting skills than others.
• Improves data statistics of EMT’s skills, call information, time, where, when, type of call.
It was pointed out with the Faulk grant the ambulance service has enough money in their budget to make the purchase this year.
A motion by Mayor Bob Burns and seconded by Councilwoman Peggy Perry was unanimously approved.
In other council action:
CIP reviewed
Councilman Tom Murphy provided a preliminary plan for the state-mandated Conservation Improvement Plan. Because the city purchases electricity wholesale from Tri-County Electric and then sells it to the residents of Caledonia, it is required to be part of the program.
The goal of the program is to reduce the net electrical consumption within the city by at least one percent of the average of the last two full years.
The city is looking at offering a residential and commercial bulb replacement rebate program to encourage residents to replace incandescent bulbs with compact florescent bulbs. The program would also offer rebates to city residents replacing commercial and residential florescent tube bulbs and ballasts.
A third incentive program for city residents would be a rebate program for all appliances replaced with Energy Star-rated appliances.
The CIP program the city is developing is a work in progress. Murphy fielded a number of questions from the council concerning the plan, will do some research and report back to the council at an upcoming meeting.
Snow-hauling wage set
The council set the wage for persons working with the city to haul snow this winter at $10 per hour. Persons interested in being on an on-call basis must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). They are to contact City Hall for more information.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
