DEPARTMENT: San Antonio Fire Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Charles N. Hood
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
STRAC MIH TTOR 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 $112,316, approves a program budget and appropriates funds 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 residents that have suffered narcotic overdose. Funding is for the period of May 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020.
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 funding from Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) to help improve the outcomes of residents that have suffered narcotic overdose.
In Texas, Bexar County ranks third in per capita rates of death from opioid overdoses. The MIH program utilizes two (2) MIH paramedics to connect with individuals, identified by SAFD personnel while providing EMS services, as being at high risk for overdose with induction and engagement into recovery support services. Since inception of the program MIH paramedics completed over 2,480 home visits to 1,288 identified patients, with this donation MIH paramedics are expected to complete an additional 1,500 home visits to 800 patients. The follow up visit is educational regarding the use of Narcan, clean needles, risks of continued drug use, and available options. CPR training can also be offered to the family as well as Narcan delivery training.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a donation from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC) in the amount up to $112,316, approves a program budget and appropriates funds. The program focuses in connecting individuals identified as being at high risk for overdose with induction and engagement into rehabilitation services, and Mobile Integrated Healthcare support in collaboration with local practitioners. The donation will fund MIH paramedics to visit patients at their homes or at the hospital the day after the patient received a dose of Narcan from SAFD. The follow up visit is educational regarding the use of Narcan, clean needles, risks of continued drug use and available options. CPR training can also be offered to the family as well as Narcan delivery training.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the City did not accept the donation funds, the current program with SAFD participation will cease to exist. STRAC would have to seek an alternative method of outreach from potentially another agency.
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 $112,316, approves a program budget, and appropriates funds 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 residents that have suffered narcotic overdose.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to accept the donation up to $112,316 from the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma (STRAC).