DEPARTMENT: San Antonio Fire Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
FY 2020 STRAC MIH Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Donation Acceptance
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a donation from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) in the amount up to $472,690.00 and approves a program budget for Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT) to be used by the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) unit of the EMS division of the San Antonio Fire Department to help improve the outcomes of citizens that have suffered narcotic overdose.
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 from STRAC are awarded to assist in improving the functionality of EMS agencies in the State of Texas. STRAC has received donation funding from Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) to help improve the outcomes of citizens that have suffered narcotic overdoses through Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) from opiate dependence.
San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Paramedics have been providing education, Narcan harm reduction, and referral to treatment for opiate overdose patients through funding with the Texas Targeted Opiate Response (TTOR) program. The Fire Department’s unique community acceptance and trust allows them better access to patients and their families in order to disrupt the cycle of opioid dependence and facilitate referral into treatment. The MIH program has identified a need in the current referral process. The current TTOR program does not address withdrawal treatment in a timely manner which is a significant barrier for intake and compliance with MAT from opiate dependence. Patients are psychologically distracted and physically ill due to symptoms of narcotic withdrawal and/or severe cravings and are unable to begin or complete a recovery program. This MIH MAT program hopes to start immediate medication assisted treatment with subsequent referral, facilitated intake, and transportation to an available recovery clinic. The goal of this program is to stabilize symptoms quickly so the patient can mentally attend and participate in a facilitated admission process to an inpatient/outpatient detoxification and recovery program.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a donation from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) in the amount up to $472,690.00 and approves a program budget for Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT). Donation funds will be used by the MIH unit of the EMS division of the San Antonio Fire Department for eligible expenses including overtime, education and training by connecting individuals identified as suffering from opioid withdrawal by facilitating with infield induction of Suboxone (or alternative medications) and engagement into rehabilitation services, and Mobile Integrated Healthcare support in collaboration with local practitioners.
ALTERNATIVES:
The acceptance of this donation allows the City to enhance the Targeted Opioid Response Program. There is no other funding identified in the City’s budget to enhance this program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a donation from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) in the amount up to $472,690.00 and approves a program budget for Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT) to be used by the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) unit of the EMS division of the San Antonio Fire Department to help improve the outcomes of citizens that have suffered narcotic overdose. There is no required cash match and this does not change the personnel compliment.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to accept the donation award up to $472,690.00 from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC).