Submitted By
Fire Chief Tom Ebsen
Reviewed By
CLP
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving the First Amendment to the Mobile Stroke Unit Service Agreement with Rush University Medical Center and Authorizing its Execution
End
Overview
Overview
The Village Board approved a one-year agreement with Rush University Medical Center on March 5, 2018, to facilitate Oak Park Firefighter/Paramedics to requesting a Rush-owned “Mobile Stroke Unit” outfitted with Rush medical staff and equipment/treatment services respond to an emergency medical call when it is deemed to be a stroke and the most effective response would be via the mobile stroke unit as opposed to Oak Park Fire Department transporting a patient to an emergency room. Although the Mobile Stroke Unit was not need during this first year, a two year extension of the Agreement is recommended.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The Village of Oak Park will not be charged by Rush when the Mobile Stroke Unit is requested. The Agreement does provide for either the Village or Rush to be responsible for billing and collecting emergency medical care expenses based upon which entity accepts patient care. In no case will a patient be subject to billing from both entities.
Background
The Oak Park Fire Department responds to 911 calls for emergency medical services as a local unit of government. The Fire Department also has the ability to request assistance (e.g. LifeFlight) in certain situations where it is determined by the Firefighter/Paramedics in the field that such additional services would result in improved emergency medical services.
During its first year of operation, there were no situations where Oak Park Firefighter/Paramedics responded to an emergency medical situation and required assistance of the Mobile Stroke Unit. It was anticipated given Oak Park small geographic area and the strategic location of two hospitals, that there would be limited instances where the Mobile Unit would be able to treat potential stoke patients sooner than Oak Park Firefighter/Paramedics transporting patients directly to the nearest emergency room.
Pursuant to the agreement, Rush’s Mobile Stroke Unit will be available to respond to the Oak Park Fire Department’s request for support services seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Mobile Stroke Unit must operate in accordance with the rules and requirements of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
It is noted that the Mobile Stoke Unit operates in several jurisdictions and therefore, as such times as the Unit is away from Rush Oak Park Hospital, it would not be available to respond to a request from the Oak Park Fire Department. The Fire Department will follow is standard operating procedures in such cases and transport a patient to the nearest emergency room (e.g. West Suburban Hospital or Rush Oak Park Hospital). Similarly, the Oak Park Fire Department is solely tasked with evaluating any EMS call for service and determining based upon the geographical location of a call if the most effective emergency medical response is to transport a patient to the nearest emergency room (e.g. West Suburban Hospital or Rush Oak Park Hospital).
Alternatives
The Village Board could seek additional information.
Previous Board Action
The Village Board approved resolution 18-829 on March 5, 2018 authorizing an agreement with Rush University Medical Center related to the Mobile Stroke Unit.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
N/A