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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Jim Rufer, Battalion Chief, EMS Division and David McCabe, Assistant Chief-Support Services
DATE: October 3, 2019
SUBJECT:
A resolution to purchase eighteen (18) Narcbox locking narcotic storage safes and software subscriptions from ESO Solutions of Austin, TX
PURPOSE:
To purchase eighteen (18) Narcbox locking narcotic storage safes and software subscriptions. Seventeen (17) of the devices will be installed in all Aurora Fire Department (AFD) advanced life support (ALS) ambulance and engine companies. The eighteenth (18th) box would be installed in the emergency medical services (EMS) office. This box is larger and designed to hold the medications needed to replenish the units after medications are administered on calls.
BACKGROUND:
The AFD paramedics are trained to administer many emergency medications, including some that are controlled substances. Although crews are taught to lock their vehicles when not in them, the controlled substances are not secured further. Due to recent increases in illicit fentanyl use, securing the medications has become even more important than in the past. The EMS system is also pushing for paramedic units to make their controlled substance security tighter. The week of October 1, 2019, Aurora Police responded to a call in the area of Rush-Copley Medical Center, and found two people unresponsive in a vehicle. Vials of controlled substances, similar to what the AFD paramedics use, were found in the vehicle. Although it was determined the medications were not taken from an AFD ambulance, it highlights the importance of more secure medication storage.
The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (US DEA) is putting pressure on all medical providers who use controlled medications, including prehospital providers as the Aurora Fire Department, to secure their medications and track their usage. The Narcboxes and software will help the AFD do just that.
DISCUSSION:
Securing controlled substances is an important issue for the Aurora Fire Department. Although vehicles are locked when not in the fire station, the medications are not further secured within the vehicles. The Narcbox system uses biometric scanning (thumbprint) to grant access to authorized users to access the controlled substances. It also allows the EMS Division to track the medications, along with knowing who has accessed any of the boxes and when. If needed, a user can be removed from the system at any time.
ESO Solutions of Austin, TX, is the sole source vendor of the software used with the Narcbox to allow the EMS office to track medication access and usage. ESO Solutions is also the company that the paramedics currently used for patient care reports after each call, allowing the two programs to share information about medications administered to a patient, furthering assisting with accurate medication tracking.
While this purchase was not budgeted, funding is available in account #255-3033-422-65.27 which currently has $9,584.10 which would be applied towards the total cost. The remaining $20,565.90 would be from account #101-3033-422-65.27. The annual software subscription fee of $6325.00 will be paid out of operating funds.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
By securing the controlled substances, the Aurora Fire Department will be taking steps to further ensure that the medications the paramedics use remain as secure as possible when the vehicles, and helping make sure that the medications are not used in an illicit manner.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the city council authorize the Aurora Fire Department to purchase eighteen (18) Narcbox locking narcotic storage safes and software subscriptions from ESO Solutions of Austin, TX for $30,150.00.
cc: Public Health, Safety, and Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to purchase eighteen (18) Narcbox locking narcotic storage safes and software subscriptions from ESO Solutions of Austin, TX for $30,150.00.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Fire Department responds to calls for medical emergencies; and
WHEREAS, Aurora Fire Department paramedics carry controlled substances used in the care of patients on emergency medical calls; and,
WHEREAS, the Southern Fox Valley Emergency Medical Services System (SFVEMSS) has instructed medical providers to be accountable for their controlled substances at all times; and,
WHEREAS, ESO Solutions of Austin, TX, is the sole source provider of the software that connects the data between the Narcbox narcotic storage safes and the patient care reporting program; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Hereby authorize the purchase of eighteen (18) Narcbox narcotic storage safes and software subscriptions from ESO Solutions of Austin, TX, for $30,150.00.