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2013 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1500 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Peace
Funding from VRSAF for 12 Lead ECGs for EMS Organizations (language only)

Item 290 #1h

Item 290 #1h

Health And Human Resources
Health, Department of

Language
Page 251, after line 50, insert:
"G.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation $500,000 the second year from the special emergency medical services funding shall be provided to the Virginia Rescue Squad Assistance Fund for grants to emergency medical services organizations to purchase 12-lead electrocardiograph monitors."


Explanation
(This amendment adds language to provide funding from the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund for grants to local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations to purchase 12 lead electrocardiograph (ECG) monitors for ambulances to identify a patient who is suffering from a severe and often fatal heart attack known as a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). One out of four heart attacks are classified as a STEMI heart attack and less than half of the patients receive treatment within the recommended 90-minute window. The mortality rate for these heart attacks is very high. The use of these 12-lead ECG monitors will allow the EMS provider to quickly determine the type of heart attack and transport the patient to the most appropriate hospital. Many of EMS providers, particularly rural providers, do not have this key piece of equipment, which can cost from $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 per unit, but have an extensive service life. Companion amendments in this item and Item 3-1.01 (Interfund Transfers) provide for the funding for this initiative in the Virginia Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (VRSAF) by (i) transferring $375,000 nongeneral funds from the Office of EMS and (ii) decreasing the transfer of $10.5 million from the special emergency medical services fund to the general fund by $125,000 in fiscal year 2014. Another companion amendment in this item adds language requiring the Commissioner of Health to work with the State EMS Advisory Board to prioritize up to $500,000 in the VRSAF for this new equipment.)