As part of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, the federal government created the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program. This program, administered by Health and Human Services, provides grant award money to support a new approach in improving access to health care in rural communities and developing health care networks to expand services.
The nationwide program allows creation of a new category of rural, not-for-profit hospital called Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). The program may help rescue financially at-risk hospitals throughout the nation. There are 24 in Idaho.
States are provided resources and flexibility to develop their own unique plans for building strong rural health networks. In Idaho, the State Office of Rural Health (SORH), working with the Idaho Hospital Association and Emergency Medical Services Bureau, have developed activities to strengthen the rural health care network.
Grant funds received by the EMS Bureau from the SORH are used to:
- Coordinate and facilitate planning activities for the ambulance services located in CAH service areas;
- Solicit their needs and input;
- Support EMS providers and communities as they develop and implement rural health care networks; and
- Facilitate and promote system integration, communication and training issues between the EMS agency and health care facility.
Technical Assessment
The primary tool the EMS Bureau uses to accomplish these goals is a technical assessment of the EMS system surrounding the CAH. Utilizing the Technical Assistance Team (TAT) approach, based on the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) model, the bureau has assembled a team with varied areas of EMS expertise to travel into the communities to assess the EMS system. The team meets with individuals previously identified and invited to speak about their EMS system.
The assessment is based on 10 system component areas that are used as benchmarks for evaluating the system. The process is not a "report card" or grading method, but rather a process designed to promote system integration and enhance the local EMS system. The system component areas discussed with individuals from the EMS community include:
- Resource Management;
- Education and Training;
- Transportation;
- Funding and Policy;
- Facilities, Communication;
- Public Information and Education;
- Medical Direction;
- System Integration; and
- Quality Improvement.
Following the EMS system technical assessment, a report of the team findings is provided to the EMS system representatives providing testimony at the onsite visit. Grant funds are provided to agencies to address needs identified during the assessment process that will promote system integration and enhancement.