DEPARTMENT: San Antonio Fire Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
FY 2017 STRAC MIH Annual Acceptance of funds for Embrace Hospice
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes an agreement to accept funds from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) up to the amount of $200,000 annually. Funds will be used by the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) unit of the EMS division of the San Antonio Fire Department to work with Embrace Hospice, LLC patients.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) was established to facilitate the development, implementation, and operation of a regional comprehensive trauma and emergency healthcare system based on accepted standards of care to decrease morbidity and mortality. Funds are reimbursed to assist in improving the functionality of EMS agencies in the State of Texas. STRAC has created an MIH consortium for municipalities engaged in programs and can act as a clearing house for HIPPA compliant information as well as a central hub for grants for participating jurisdictions within the consortium. Currently the City of Schertz and the City of San Antonio are the founding members of the consortium.
Through an agreement with STRAC, Embrace Hospice, LLC will provide funding to STRAC for services provided by the MIH consortium. The MIH consortium will help to improve the health, comfort and well-being of hospice patients by providing skilled patient care in the home setting, educating the patient, family and caregivers, coordinating with the patient’s hospice provider and reducing admission to emergency rooms throughout the city. Through this program, when an Embrace Hospice enrolled patient contacts EMS, the MIH unit of the City’s EMS will respond along with an Embrace Hospice staff member. This will allow the personnel to quickly and efficiently respond to meet the needs of the patient based on their current care plan.
STRAC will disburse funds between the City of Schertz and the City of San Antonio based on patients enrolled within the geographical boundaries of the City of San Antonio. Funds received through this program are paid on a monthly, per patient basis based on the geographical location of the patient. Only the legal authority having jurisdiction, or their designee, may provide these services under this Agreement.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of up to $200,000 annually from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) for services provided by the MIH unit of the EMS division of the San Antonio Fire Department to Embrace Hospice, LLC patients.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the City does not accept these funds, the City will continue to offer EMS services in a traditional manner.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of MIH funding up to $200,000 annually from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) for services provided by the MIH unit of the EMS division of the San Antonio Fire Department for Embrace Hospice patients. Funds from this agreement will be deposited in the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to accept the funding opportunity from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC).