Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Travis Kusman, Director, Emergency Medical Services
Subject: Agreement to Accept Funding from the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority for Development of a Locally Based Health Information Exchange
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority to receive funding for development of a locally based electronic Health Information Exchange, for the term of November 1, 2019 through September 30, 2021, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) has made grant funding available for the local development and implementation of secure data sharing between emergency medical services (EMS) field providers and designated 9-1-1 receiving hospitals via Health Information Exchange (HIE) systems. Funds will be used to develop and implement secure and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant health information technology and infrastructure to enable EMS first response and ambulance caregivers to access critical patient medical information at the scene of an emergency, readily share their assessment findings and the treatment that they render with hospital personnel, and enhance overall clinical quality improvement within the County's EMS system.
DISCUSSION:
In August 2019, the EMSA awarded San Mateo County Emergency Medical Services (EMS Agency) grant funding to develop and implement a locally based HIE for the San Mateo County EMS system known as +EMS SAFR. Funds were awarded through a competitive application process with awards based on approval of technical work plan and grant milestones.
Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) must often make rapid patient treatment decisions ...
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