County in Kansas Plans to Take Over EMS From Hospital

Nov. 15--RUSSELL -- Communication between Russell County and Russell Regional Hospital officials regarding the county's planned takeover of the EMS service has ranged from zero to not much, hospital leaders say.

"As far as communication between the county and EMS, there has been none," Wayne Chrisco, director of Russell Emergency Medical Services, said. "I've asked a bunch of questions. Are our jobs secure? What's gonna change and what's not gonna change? The only answer that I have gotten was everything will remain the same."

The county notified the hospital in August that it was terminating the contract with EMS and the hospital, he said.

"It's my indication that (the county) believes they can operate the service more efficiently than we can," Shelley Boden, hospital CEO, said. "There has been very limited communication with the commissioners."

Russell County Administrator Lenny Tyson disputes those statements. The county is taking over the ambulance service for fiscal reasons, he said, and plans are in the works for a seamless transition away from the hospital.

"Everybody there at EMS knows exactly what we're doing," Tyson said, including that there's no reason for current workers to worry.

"County commissioners have told them that everybody down there, if they'll fill out an application, will be brought over here to work," Tyson said. "That's what I've been told by the commissioners."

Hammered by Medicare

The root of the takeover is Medicare reimbursements. Having an EMS service at the hospital when there is a similar service within 35 miles of Russell -- in this case Hays and Hoisington -- cost taxpayers an additional $88,000 two years ago, and that increased to an additional $208,000 this year, Tyson said.

"The only reason we're moving it is the significant amount of money we're losing," Tyson said.

The hospital's 2011 budget for EMS was $1.04 million. For the past two years, the hospital has asked the county, and received, $410,000 a year to cover EMS losses and expenses, said Sharon Collins, the hospital's human resources director. So far this year, the hospital has received $330,000, she said, and they expect the full amount promised from the county.

In addition, Russell Regional receives $40,000 to $45,000 a month in sales tax revenue to cover hospital operations, Collins said.

"We've continued to operate EMS for years because it's a necessary service within the community," Boden said.

Meeting set for Dec. 5

While the contract with the hospital will expire Jan. 1, Tyson said the transition will occur, "when we're ready."

The plan will be unveiled in a meeting beginning at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 5 in the Russell County Commission Room at the courthouse.

"I'm gonna get all that information out. Everything is gonna be just fine," Tyson said. "Everything is on schedule. I just don't have anything in writing."

With Jan. 1 less than two months away, EMS and hospital officials are concerned.

Tyson insists the changeover is on schedule. Among the first chores is a bunch of paperwork as EMS changes addresses to a new building that will be named later, he said, and employment is switched from the hospital to the county.

EMS currently employs 13 full-time and 10 part-time workers, Chrisco said.

Tyson said all of them have applied to become county workers.

So why advertise?

But the county has also advertised the EMS positions in area newspapers. An advertisement printed in the Oct. 12 Salina Journal lists opening for EMS director, mobile intensive care technicians, emergency medical technicians and first responders.

So why advertise? He said others have applied, and more jobs are possible.

"I didn't know if everybody at the EMS was going to apply," Tyson said.

He said an offer has been made to an EMS director applicant.

"We're gonna leave it up to the director to tell us how many more we need," Tyson said. "The new director is gonna set it up. We're gonna keep the same type of service we have."

Chrisco said he's heard that a new director has been hired. An emergency medical technician who has taken the paramedic course, he intends to take the certification test, and would like to continue to work for EMS, "if they will let me. I enjoy the guys I work with. They're fantastic technicians. They all know the job they do and they're all highly qualified."

Trying to be factual

The lesson here, Chrisco said, is "be up front and honest. I've never been told 'This is what's gonna happen.' "

Hospital CEO Boden concurs.

"Because EMS is such a vital service to our community, the need for open communication is critical."

Tyson said he will release new information as it becomes available.

"I'm not going to make up a story," he said. "I'm trying to be as factual as possible."

-- Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by email at tunruh@salina.com.

Copyright 2011 - The Salina Journal, Kan.