SS HCS HB 1790 -- MUNICIPAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND HOSPITAL
DESIGNATIONS

This bill changes the laws regarding municipal health care
facilities and hospital designations.

MUNICIPAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Currently, an ordinance providing for a larger board of trustees
for municipal health care facilities requires that three-fifths
of the trustees be citizens of the city.  The bill specifies that
some or all of the trustees do not have to be citizens of the
city.

HOSPITAL DESIGNATIONS

Currently, a hospital can be designated as a trauma center so
severely injured patients can be transported to the nearest
designated trauma center.  The bill changes the laws regarding
hospital designations by the Department of Health and Senior
Services to include a STEMI center and a stroke center if it
meets the department's applicable level of STEMI or stroke center
criteria.  "ST-elevation myocardial infarction" (STEMI) is
defined as a type of heart attack in which impaired blood flow to
the heart is evidenced by findings in electrocardiogram analysis.
The department is required to:

(1)  Compile and assess peer-reviewed and evidence-based clinical
research and guidelines that provide or support recommended
treatment standards;

(2)  Assess the capacity of the emergency medical services system
and hospitals to deliver recommended treatments in a timely
fashion;

(3)  Establish protocols for transporting STEMI patients to STEMI
centers and stroke patients to stroke centers;

(4)  Establish regions within the state for coordinating the
delivery of STEMI and stroke care;

(5)  Promote the development of regional or community-based plans
for transporting STEMI and stroke patients to STEMI and stroke
centers; and

(6)  Establish procedures for the submission of community-based
or regional plans for department approval.

A community-based or regional plan must be submitted to the
department for approval.  Plans must be based on clinical
research and guidelines and the capacity assessment of emergency
medical services.  Patients who suffer a STEMI or stroke will be
transported to the nearest STEMI or stroke center.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm