NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Division of Emergency Medical Services Systems; Funding Priorities
[27 Pa.B. 3279] Under 28 Pa. Code § 1001.23(b) (relating to allocation of funds), the Department of Health (Department) hereby gives notice of priorities for the distribution by the regional emergency medical services (EMS) councils of funding from the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund (EMSOF) which will be distributed by the Department to regional EMS councils for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1998. The priorities are as follows:
I. Categories Eligible For Funding (Nonprioritized)
* Training Programs for Prehospital Personnel
Training programs for all prehospital personnel (for example, first responders, emergency medical technicians and paramedics) who will be responsible for providing EMS to patients outside of the hospital setting. Training institutes shall be accredited to insure that size and number of training programs are adequate to assure that ambulance services have a sufficient number of prehospital personnel to meet public need. EMSOF funds may be provided to cover up to 100% of the cost to procure essential equipment for training programs, but EMSOF funds shall not be used to pay the cost of course coordinators and primary and secondary instructors without the approval of the Department.
* EMS Management Development Training Programs
Training programs that promote local ambulance service knowledge and skills for the efficient management of an ambulance service. These could include programs on recruitment, staffing, cost-effectiveness, data usage for efficient response systems and public relations as examples. Licensed services may be funded for their needs in these categories. All programs must be coordinated with the regional EMS council in the service's area, for maximum program effect. Programs in which multiple ambulance services participate will receive first consideration for funding.
* Equipment for Providing Basic Life Support (BLS) Services to Areas in Need
Purchase of equipment needed for the establishment of BLS ambulance service operations to serve areas not currently served by BLS ambulances within 10 minutes of dispatch, and identified as feasibly needed by regional planning. EMSOF funds shall be provided up to the following amounts for urban and rural areas:
MAXIMUM BLS EMSOF EQUIPMENT REIMBURSEMENT* Items Urban Rural BLS Vehicle 15,000 20,000 Essential Equipment (See Table 1) 4,450 5,340 Communications Equipment (See Table 2) 5,000 6,000 Maximum Eligible Reimbursement 24,450 31,340 *Figures are dollar amounts per service. * Equipment for the Establishment of New Quick Response Services (QRS)
Purchase of equipment needed for the establishment of new QRS services outside the 10 minute response area of current ambulance services and identified as feasibily needed by regional planning. EMSOF funds shall be provided up to the following amounts for urban and rural areas:
MAXIMUM QRS EMSOF EQUIPMENT REIMBURSEMENT* Items Urban Rural Essential Equipment (See Table 1) 3,050 3,660 Communications Equipment (See Table 2) 5,000 6,000 Maximum Eligible Reimbursement 24,450 31,340 *Figures are dollar amounts per service. * Equipment for Providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) to Areas in Need
Purchase of equipment needed for the establishment of ALS ambulance service operations to serve areas not currently served by ALS ambulances within 20 minutes of dispatch, and identified as feasibly needed by regional planning. EMSOF funds shall be provided up to the following amounts for urban and rural areas:
MAXIMUM ALS EMSOF EQUIPMENT REIMBURSEMENT* Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Items Urban Rural Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) 15,000 20,000 Essential Equipment (See Table 1) 11,650 13,980 Communications Equipment (See Table 2) 5,000 6,000 Maximum Eligible Reimbursement 31,650 39,980 *Figures are dollar amounts per service.
ALS Non-Transport Unit** Items Urban Rural ALS Non-Transport Unit** 7,500 9,000 Essential Equipment (See Table 1) 10,250 12,300 Communications Equipment (See Table 2) 5,000 6,000 Maximum Eligible Reimbursement 22,750 27,300 *Figures are dollar amounts per service.
**ALS Squad Unit.* Vehicle Replacement:
The following categories will be funded and may be prioritized by each regional EMS council based on the needs determined within its region:
1. Vehicle Replacement*--Any ALS or BLS service vehicle is eligible to be replaced or rechassied based on the following criteria and priorities (one vehicle per service per 5 year period):
First Priority:
a. ALS/BLS ambulances and ALS nontransport squad vehicles that are 10 years old or older, according to the following priorities:
1) Single vehicle service (1st priority)
2) Two vehicle service (2nd priority)
3) Three vehicle service (3rd priority)
4) Greater than three vehicle service (4th priority)
Second Priority:
b. ALS/BLS ambulances and ALS nontransport squad vehicles that are 5 years old or have at least 100,000 miles, according to the following priorities:
1) Single vehicle service (1st priority)
2) Two vehicle service (2nd priority)
3) Three vehicle service (3rd priority)
4) Greater than three vehicle service (4th priority)
2. In order to be eligible for the purchase of vehicles, an ambulance service must meet the following criteria:
a. the service must be a licensed ALS/BLS transporting or ALS nontransporting service.
b. the service must have an assigned primary response area for emergencies.
c. the service must have responded to a minimum of 50 emergency calls per year within its primary response area.
MAXIMUM EMSOF VEHICLE REPLACEMENT REIMBURSEMENT* Items Urban Rural BLS/MICU Vehicle 15,000 20,000 ALS Nontransport Vehicle (ALS Squad Unit) 7,500 9,000 *Figures are dollar amounts per vehicle. The Department may increase the amount of reimbursement from EMSOF funds based upon the financial hardship of an ambulance service. An ambulance service that seeks additional EMSOF funds because of financial hardship, to replace or rechassis a vehicle, shall be required to submit a financial disclosure statement and other documentation deemed necessary by the Department. Waivers are permissible provided the regional EMS council submits any requests for waiver in writing to the Department.
Additional Items Authorized For EMSOF Funding
* Essential Equipment for ALS/BLS/QRS Services--new or replacement. (See Table 1)
* Communications Equipment for ALS/BLS/QRS Services--new or replacement. (See Table 2)
* Regional EMS Council Special Needs--These items are eligible based on individual needs of each regional EMS council and are defined in regional plans.
* Recruitment/Retention Programs--For ambulance services for their activities in recruiting community volunteers to staff the services. Funding amounts to be set by each regional EMS council.
* Data Collection--Alternate methods of data collection for use by medical Command facilities, Pennsylvania receiving facilities and ambulance services licensed in the Commonwealth. These alternate data collection methods must be recommended and endorsed by the regional EMS council and be approved by the Department. The Department will reimburse a percentage of the cost for computer hardware up to $2,000 of the cost, with each applicant in an urban area eligible for reimbursement of up to $1,000 (50%), and those in rural areas eligible for reimbursement of up to $1,200 (60%) of the cost. Computer software costs will be approved up to a maximum cost of $1,700. Each entity will only be eligible to purchase one set of hardware and software once every 3 years.
II. Regional Communication System Development Equipment
Purchase of equipment for the establishment or upgrading of regional communication systems. Any project exceeding $50,000 must be reviewed and approved by the Department.
ANY AMBULANCE OR QUICK RESPONSE SERVICE INTERESTED IN FUNDING MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM THE REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE COUNCIL WITHIN ITS AREA.
Table 1
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT LIST
(MICU, ALS SQUAD, BLS AND QRS)
Urban Rural Equipment Life ALS (50% OF (60% OF Description Expectancy MICU Squad BLS QRS MAC* MAC*) MAC*) EKG Monitor/Defibrillator with Pacer 5 years Y Y N N 10,000 5,000 6,000 12 Lead EKG 5 years Y Y N N 16,000 8,000 9,600 Automatic External Automatic (AED) 5 years N N Y** Y** 4,000 2,000 2,400 Medical Anti-Shock Trousers (Adult/Pediatric) 3 years Y Y Y Y* 600 300 360 Oxygen Equipment (any combination)
Cylinder (minimum ''D'' size, maximum 2/unit @ $80 each) Demand valve w/hose and mask. Regulator combination constant flow. Case soft or hard.5 years Y Y Y Y 500 250 300 Pulse Oximeters 5 years Y Y N N 1,000 500 600 Splinting/Immobilization Devices (including adult and pediatric) 5 years Y Y Y Y 500 250 300 Stair Chair 5 years Y N Y N 500 250 300 Stretchers
Primary (multilevel)5 years Y N Y N 1,800 900 1,080 Stretcher Chair
Combination5 years Y N Y N 500 250 300 Suction Unit, Portable
(battery operated)3 years Y Y Y Y 500 250 300 Ventilator, Automatic
(per Department of Health guidelines)5 years Y*** Y*** N N 1,400 700 840 MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE COST ALS MICU 23,300+ 11,650+ 13,980+ ALS Squad 20,500+ 10,250+ 12,300+ BLS 8,900 4,450 5,340 QRS 6,100 3,050 3,660 + If an ALS service purchases other than the 12 lead EKG, then the total cost will be $6,000 less.
Y Yes N No MAC Maximum Allowable Cost the Department will consider for reimbursement purposes. * All figures are dollar amounts for each item of equipment. ** EMT personnel required. *** Regional approval and completion of approved training program required.
Table 2
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LIST
(MICU, ALS SQUAD, BLS AND QRS)
Urban Rural Equipment Life ALS (50% OF (60% OF Description Expectancy MICU Squad BLS QRS MAC* MAC*) MAC*) Alerting Equipment 5 years Y Y Y Y 4,000 2,000 2,400 Radio, Mobile (for dispatch and scene coordination-- one per EMS vehicle) 5 years Y Y Y Y 2,500 1,250 1,500 Radio, Mobile (for medical communications with hos pitals--one per EMS ve hicle) 5 years Y Y Y Y** 2,500 1,250 1,500 Radio, Portable (for on- scene coordination--one per EMS vehicle/unit) 3 years Y Y Y Y 1,000 500 600 MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE COST 10,000 5,000 6,000
Y Yes N No MAC Maximum Allowable Cost the Department will consider for reimbursement purposes. * All figures are dollar amounts for each item of equipment. ** Mobile radios eligible if 50% or greater number of calls are EMS related for specific vehicle. Persons with a disability who require an alternative format of this notice (for example, large print, audiotape, Braille), should contact Kum S. Ham, Ph.D., Director, Division of Emergency Medical Services Systems, Department of Health, P. O. Box 90, Harrisburg, PA 17108, (717) 787-8740 or TDD: (717) 783-6514.
DANIEL F. HOFFMANN,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-1091. Filed for public inspection July 3, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]
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