Bureau for Public Health

Office of Emergency Medical Services

West Virginia State Trauma Advisory Council By Laws

NAME

The name of this Council will be the West Virginia State Trauma Advisory Council (STAC).

 

ESTABLISHMENT

Authority: The Director and State Medical Director do hereby establish the State Trauma Advisory Council as a formal council of OEMS, effective April of 1997.  Revisions to the council structure, guidelines, duties, and bylaws were established on October 8, 1999. The Council was legislatively established by rule April 29, 2004.

 

Effect of By Laws: The by laws, and all acts and proceedings which in the future may be enacted, shall be binding on all the officers and members.

 

Changes in By Laws: Changes in the by laws may be effected by submission of written proposed changes to all members of the council 30 days prior to a duly called meeting.  The proposed changes must then be ratified by a simple majority of members present (quorum).

 

PURPOSE AND DUTIES

Purpose: The purpose of the Council shall be to advise the State Trauma and Emergency Care System, the Office of Emergency Medical Services, and the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, regarding the development and administration of a statewide trauma system and to provide technical assistance and advice in the development of standardized policy and procedures for trauma center operation and designation.

 

Duties: The Council will perform the duties specified as follows:

 

  1. 1. Recommend procedures and guidelines for the formation and administration of a state trauma / emergency care system.
  2. 2. Recommend policies and procedures governing the evaluation, designation, and re-designation of state trauma centers.
  3. 3. Establish the credentials and serve as the central resource pool of individuals for appointment by the State EMS Medical Director to serve on site visit teams.
  4. 4. Recommend and evaluate data collection needs for quality improvement, medical review, and planning purposes for the system.
  5. 5. Serve as the main liaison for activities between the West Virginia Committee of the ACS-COT and OEMS.
  6. 6. Explore and seek additional funding sources to continue the development and                                                     maintenance of the state trauma / emergency care system.
  7. 7. Recommend policies and procedures necessary to carry out its duties.
  8. 8. Undertake other duties as assigned by the OEMS Director or Medical Director.
  9. 9. The council shall meet a minimum of twice a year.

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

The State Trauma Advisory Council shall include the following members at a minimum:

 

  1. 1. The Chair and Vice-chair of the West Virginia State Committee of the American     College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma (WV ACS-COT)
  2. 2. The immediate past chair of the WV ACS-COT
  3. 3. The trauma Medical Director of all designated level I, II, and III facilities
  4. 4. A physician from the West Virginia Chapter of the American College of          Emergency Physicians
  5. 5. A hospital administrator
  6. 6. A HealthNet medical director
  7. 7. A representative of a level IV or V designated trauma center
  8. 8. A rural hospital representative
  9. 9. A registered nurse trauma program manager
  10. 10. A trauma registrar
  11. 11. A pediatric surgeon
  12. 12. A paramedic with trauma care experience
  13. 13. A consumer member from the general public
  14. 14. Other members as recommended by STAC and appointed by the State EMS          Medical Director

 

Appointment: Membership of the Council shall be appointed by the state EMS Medical Director from a list of potential appointees submitted by the State Trauma Advisory Council.  The State Trauma Advisory Council shall solicit potential appointees from the various agencies or organizations who have representation on the State Trauma Advisory Council and then recommend appointments to the State EMS Medical Director from those names.  A list to potential appointees for the hospital administrator and rural hospital representative may be submitted to the State Trauma Advisory Council by the West Virginia Hospital Association.

 

Term of Office: Each council member shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years.  Members may be reappointed if recommended by the State Trauma Advisory Council to the State EMS Medical Director.

 

Removal Due to Absences: Two (2) successive absences without notice on the part of any member from a duly called meeting of the Council shall authorize the Chairperson on the Council to declare a vacancy in the office of such member due to removal.  Prior to taking action, the Chairperson shall contact the individual to determine his/her continued interest.

Ex-officio: The State EMS Medical Director may appoint ex-officio members of the Council to serve as necessary.

 

OFFICERS

 

Positions: The officers of the council shall be:

  • Chairperson
  • Vice-Chairperson
  • Secretary

Election: The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting and hold office until their successors shall have been elected, or until the officer's death, resignation, or removal.  Nominations shall be taken from the floor at the annual meeting.

Terms of Office: Terms of office shall be two (2) years and officers shall be eligible for re-election.

Duties:

Chairperson            The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Council and shall generally supervise and control the affairs of the Council.

He/she may from time to time appoint subcommittees to investigate matters which may come before the Council.

Vice-Chairperson     The Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence.

Secretary                The Secretary will be responsible for the accuracy and maintenance of all minutes of the proceedings.  The distribution of the minutes is the responsibility of the Office of Emergency Medical Services.

MEETINGS

Regular Meetings: The council shall meet a minimum of twice a year.

Annual Meetings: The regular meeting during the fall will be designated the annual meeting.

Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the State EMS Medical Director or the STAC Chairperson at any time.

Quorum: A simple majority of the Council members present shall constitute a quorum.

MEETINGS - continued

Notice of Meetings: Notice of date, time, and place of regular meetings shall be mailed by the State Trauma and Emergency Care System-Trauma Division to each member not less than 15 days prior to the meeting date.

Agendas: Agenda items may be suggested by STECS, The Chairperson, or any member of the Council.  Background information, existing guidelines, and materials will be provided as needed.

Proxies: Members unable to attend a duly called meeting may authorize another member of the council to represent them without voting privileges.  Such authorization shall be in writing, signed by the member, and presented to the Chairman.

Executive committee: The executive committee of STAC shall consist of the chair, vice-chair, secretary, and one member at large appointed by the chair.