Texas Department of Health - FY 2000 Data Requests

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The link below provides a disturbing picture of the utility and

practicality of EMS data reporting, as required by the TDH. In FY 2000,

there were a whopping 119 requests for data - 35 (29%) of which were

generated by the media and the TDH for internal use.

Of the 119 total data requests, a mind boggling five (5) EMS data files

were actually used ... for the entire year!

Now, take the total compliance cost: software + hardware + staff time

for every EMS provider. Add the TDH's FTE percentage for processing and

managing the EMS reports. Now, divide that total by 6. Do you see

anything wrong with this picture?

Texas' EMS providers are paying for a service and activity that

essentially nobody wants. In other words, a product without a market. At

a time when many providers are struggling to stay open and provide basic

EMS services to their communities (combined with reimbursement roll

backs), does this unfunded mandate make any sense at all?

http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/injury/reports/rqst2000/rqst2000.htm

Bob Kellow