Operations Manual- EMS- QA/QI (2014/2019)

Question 1

PSU shall be notified on what categories of QA/QI?

Answer 1

II, III, IV (2,3,4) to ensure that the employee’s rights are protected

Question 2

Any information provided to the QI/QA Nurse Specialist shall be considered what?

Answer 2

Protected and cannot be used against the employee in a department or private provider discipline process.

However, it does not protect the employee from discipline as a result of a PSU investigation or private provider investigation.

Question 3

The QI/QA will follow what type of process when handling a QI or QA issue?

Answer 3

The Matrix

Question 4

How many levels in the QI/QA Matrix?

Answer 4

4; category I, II, III, IV

Question 5

How does the QI/QA process determine what category in the matrix an employee falls under?

Answer 5

Type and Number of issues they have.

Question 6

Why are ALL paramedics on-scene contacted for QI/QA issue?

Answer 6

Because they are ALL responsible for patient care.

Question 7

What is the role of QI/QA Nurse Specialist when it comes to these issues?

Answer 7

Contact ALL medics, and find out what happened and their role in patient care.

• to provide education to those involved
• to ensure ALL parties involved understand there is an issue and what that issue is.
• documentation that is kept in the secured EMS office confidential.

Question 8

What happens if an EMS provider has a third minor QI/QA of like nature in one rolling year?

Answer 8

• oral counseling from direct supervisor
• moved to Category II
• PSU contacted for City employees

Question 9

What classifies a Category II, QA/QI issue?

Answer 9

• Chronic errors or omissions
• Significant error or emission
• Failure of an examination process at a CE

Question 10

What requires the City Paramedic Program Manager to report employees that are a risk to public safety?

Answer 10

California Health and Safety Code

Question 11

When a presentation is delivered for an EMT or Paramedic with chronic QA/QI issues the committee can only hear category I and II issues that are no older than __ months from the date the issue was closed?

Answer 11

12 months

Question 12

Category II issues can be considered as part of the employee’s chronic issue case for all incidents that are no older than ___ months from the date the incident was closed.

Answer 12

24

Question 13

How often are the QI/QA meetings held?

Who makes the final recommendation after ALL panelists have their input?

Answer 13

Monthly

City Medical Director

Question 14

Who does the QI/QA Nurse Specialist send the QI form to for forwarding purposes?

Answer 14

First and Second Level Supervisor

Question 15

How long does the employee have to sign the QI form?

Answer 15

(5) SHIFTS

Question 16

What if the Paramedic or EMT is not satisfied with the results of the QA/QImeeting?

Answer 16

They can request an appeal within 15 days after the meeting with the City Medical Director, through the EMS BC.

Question 17

After an appeal with the City Medical Director, how long do they have to get back to the employee?

Answer 17

“ 15 days” (these are probably calendar days)

Question 18

What happens if an employee fails a second time? CPR, ACLS, or PALS exam?

Answer 18

• written counseling
• Supplemental EPR and PDP
• Suspended Medic or EMT, and reported to Cal EMSA
• Forwarded to the PSU