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Agenda No. 4.

CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM

City Council Meeting:

April 15, 2025

Department:

Emergency Medical Services

Subject:

Resolution 25-R-047 - Authorizing the purchase of specialized medical supplies (S.Williams/J.Mabbitt)

BACKGROUND

Schertz EMS responds to over 15,000 calls for service and transports over 9,000 patients annually.

Our ambulances carry over 150 individual items to treat a variety of ailments including trauma, cardiac issues, breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, strokes and seizures. One of the more widely used equipment is the End-Tital Carbon Dioxide cannula (ETCO2). This device is an airway device (similar to a nasal cannula) that measures carbon dioxide levels, which gives us the ability to measure waveform capnography to diagnose a variety of respiratory issues. It is also used in every cardiac arrest situation to determine a patent airway. We will use approximately 112 cases of ETCO2 cannulas annually.

We also utilize the Arrow EZ-IO Intraossues Vascular Access system, which allows our medics to gain vascular access to give life-saving medications to patients experiencing cardiac arrest and other high acuity type calls in which regular venous access is not possible.

GOAL

To approve Resoluition 25-R-047 for the continued purchase of EMS specialized medical supplies.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

End-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) monitoring, or capnography, offers several benefits in EMS, including early detection of respiratory problems, assessment of ventilation effectiveness, and confirmation of endotracheal tube placement. Waveform capnography is considered the gold standard on whether an airway intervention has been effective.

The Arrow EZ-IO Intraosseous Vascular Access System provides a rapid and reliable method for gaining vascular access when intravenous (IV) access is difficult or impossible, enabling timely administration of fluids and medications.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve Resolution 25-R-047 to purchase ETCO2 cannulas and EZIO equipment.

FISCAL IMPACT

The purchase of ETCO2 cannulas and EZIO equipment was factored and approved for the budget for FY25. We will purchase the ETCO2 cannulas from either Boundtree Medical or Henry Schein, whichever can give the best price. EZIO equipment has to be purchased via Teleflex due to them being sole source vendor.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends approval of Resolution 25-R-047

Attachments

Resolution 25-R-047 with attachments

Sole Source Letter