DEPARTMENT: SAFD
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Training Affiliation Agreement with UTHSCSA, SAFD, and SAUSHEC
SUMMARY:
The Ordinance authorizes the execution of a 5-year Training Affiliation Agreement between the University of TX Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA), the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC), and the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) is a joint military service activity consisting of Brooke Army Medical Center and the 59th Medical Wing. It is an entity of the Department of Defense that provides unified and central management and administration for the military graduate medical education programs that are based in San Antonio.
SAUSHEC has established residency and fellowship programs in various specialties that are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program curriculum requires special clinical training in preparation for board certification of residents and fellows (trainees). Trainees must be on active duty in the US military or civilian physicians who are full time employees of the US government. UTHSCSA has participated in this type of arrangement for the past three years.
ISSUE:
The Ordinance authorizes the execution of a 5-year Training Affiliation Agreement between the University of TX Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA), the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC), and the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD).
Trainees will be allowed to ride on SAFD emergency medical service vehicles to the scenes of medical emergencies. In addition, they will provide medical care under the supervision of the EMS Medical Director. The goal for the Trainees is to gain valuable clinical experience in emergency medical services. SAFD patients will benefit by having a doctor at the scene to assist the SAFD emergency medical response personnel.
While training with SAFD under this agreement, SAUSHEC trainees will be subject to, and be required to abide by, all facility rules and applicable regulations. There will be no training expense incurred by SAFD under this agreement. This program will not result in, nor is meant to displace employees or impair existing services.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may elect not to authorize the agreement between SAFD, UTHSCSA, and SAUSHEC. The City of San Antonio would lose the opportunity to provide clinical experience for US government residents and fellows training in the emergency medical field.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact as a result of entering into a Training Affiliation Agreement with UTHSCSA and SAUSHEC.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance for the execution of the Training Affiliation Agreement with UTHSCSA and SAUSHEC to provide emergency medicine training for US government residents and fellows.