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2013 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Ruff
Funding from VRSAF for 12 Lead ECGs for EMS Orgs. (language only)

Item 290 #1s

Item 290 #1s

Health And Human Resources
Health, Department of

Language
Page 251, after line 50, insert:
"G.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, $1,000,000 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 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 and has an extensive service life. A companion amendment in Item 3-1.01 (Interfund Transfers) provides the funding for this initiative in the Virginia Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (VRSAF) by decreasing the transfer of $10.5 million from the special emergency medical services fund to the general fund by $1.0 million in fiscal year 2014.)