EMS drug security to be tightened

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County Hospital District administrator Jera Fairley was given a raise, and board members were updated about intensified “drug security” policies during the hospital board’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, Feb. 17.

The directors also formally called for an election on May 2 since the filing period ended Friday with five candidates signed up for four positions.

Closed Session

After a closed session of almost one hour, the directors reopened the meeting to approve a motion by Janna Ledbetter, seconded by Mike Folsom, that Fairley be given a raise. 

No information about the amount or percentage of the salary increase was included in the motion, but board president John Ayers said Tuesday that it wasn’t a substantial amount and that it had already been included in the 2020 budget.

Also okayed after the closed session was a pay scale for backup and on-call employees. However, after further review, Ayers said that the board will revisit the agenda item at the next meeting.

Reportedly, other personnel issues connected with an ongoing investigation of “drug diversion” were covered while the directors were behind closed doors, but there was no action or further discussion.

On Feb. 3, the board authorized Fairley to pursue the investigation, saying only that Fairley had found during an internal audit that some controlled drugs might not have been handled according to protocol.

In her report on Monday, Fairley stated that she has “been in close contact with the state, EMS medical director, and the Shackelford County sheriff’s department,” adding that the “investigation is ongoing.”

Drug Policies

New EMS supervisor Tina Ulbrich reported that she and Fairley are working together to put stricter drug security policies in place, including the requirement for two codes to open drug safes, a check-off system between shifts, and security cameras.

There will also be a bimonthly check with a law enforcement officer present to dispose of out-of-date or unneeded substances, both controlled and non-controlled.

The policies will be presented to the board for approval after Fairley and Ulbrich finalize a few details.

Other Business

•Fairley reported that the district’s Foundation is “up to date with the IRS, retroactive to the date that the district was out of compliance. Fairley will make sure that the correct 990 forms are completed annually, as is required.

•Fairley and district secretary Regina Whitt recently attended a conference about indigent care, with Fairley stating that the district’s indigent care policy appears to be in compliance.

•The directors requested that EMS medical director Dr. Mitch Morriber be asked to come to a board meeting in the near future.