Sec. 6. Field EMS System Performance, Integration, and Accountability
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/bill/113/hr/809/ih/section-6A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Director of the Office of EMS and Trauma (in this section referred to as the Director ) shall establish the SPIA grant program— to improve field EMS system performance, integration and accountability; to ensure preparedness for field EMS at the State and local levels; to enhance physician medical oversight of field EMS systems; to improve coordination between regional field EMS systems and integration of such regional field EMS systems into the larger health care system; to enhance data collection and analysis to improve, on a continuing basis, the field EMS system; and to promote standardization of national EMS certification of emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
Grants may be used by eligible entities— to enhance EMS system readiness and preparedness for day-to-day emergency medical response; to improve cross-border collaboration and planning among States; and to collect data with regard to— NEMSIS; field EMS education; field EMS workforce; cardiac events, including STEMI and sudden cardiac arrest; stroke; disasters, including injuries and illnesses; ambulance diversion and patient parking; trauma (in a manner that is complementary and not duplicative of other trauma data collection such as the National Trauma Data Bank); data determined necessary by the State office of EMS for oversight and coordination of the State field EMS system; and any other such data that the Director specifies; to implement and evaluate system-wide quality improvement initiatives, including medical direction at the State, local, and regional levels; to integrate field EMS with other health care services as part of a coordinated system of care provided to patients with emergency medical conditions to help ensure the right patient receives the right care by the right crew in the right vehicle and at the right medical facility in the right amount of time, including by enhancing regional emergency medical dispatch; to incorporate national EMS certification for all levels of emergency medical technicians and paramedics; to improve the State’s planning for ensuring a consistent, available EMS workforce; to fund EMS regional and local oversight and planning organizations or develop regional systems of emergency medical care within the State to further enhance coordination and systemic development throughout the State; and for such other uses as the Director may establish.
In establishing and administering the SPIA grant program, the Director shall— establish State EMS system performance standards to serve as guidance to States in improving their EMS systems and in applying for grants under this subsection. In establishing such standards, the Director shall— take into the consideration the recommendations of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, FICEMS, NEMSAC, and relevant stakeholders; include national, evidence-based guidelines; and take into account the needs and resource limitations of volunteer, smaller agencies, and agencies in rural areas. provide technical assistance to State EMS offices in conducting comprehensive EMS planning with regard to evidence-based workforce and development competencies for field EMS management; allocate, within the available funds, SPIA grants to a maximum of one grant per applicant according to a formula based on population and geographic area, as determined by the Director, for a period not to exceed 2 years; and require that States allocate a portion of their grant funds to regional and local oversight and planning EMS organizations within the State for the purpose of field EMS system development, maintenance, and improvement of coordination among regional organizations.
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Director in such form and manner, that contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Director determines to be reasonably necessary to carry out this section. The eligible entities for a grant under this section are the State EMS office in each of the several States, tribes, and territories. The Director shall submit an annual report on the SPIA grant program under this section to the Congress.