TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Business Associate Agreement Between CommuniCare Technology, Inc. d/b/a Pulsara and the City of North Port for an Emergency Medical Services Application for Communications With Local Hospitals.
Recommended Action
Approve the Business Associate Agreement between CommuniCare Technology, Inc. d/b/a Pulsara and the City of North Port.
Background Information
CommuniCare Technology, Inc. d/b/a Pulsara is a State of Florida Department of Health Emergency Medical Services Division initiative for all Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers and hospitals in the State of Florida. It is a new communication tool between EMS providers and hospitals and hospitals to hospitals. This application will also identify the status of the hospital emergency room bed availability, diversions, and any major medical equipment that may be down such as CT scanners, etc. allowing the paramedic to select an alternate hospital for their patient under those circumstances in advance.
The communication is completed through an application that is on the ambulance's iPad or smart phone. Eventually, this new communication tool will be utilized to communicate between ambulances and hospitals instead of the traditional communication through 800 MHz radios. This application is 100% compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)/Protected Health Information (PHI) requirements. There is no cost associated with this application. All area hospitals in both Sarasota County and Charlotte County will have the ability to utilize this new communication tool.
The Business Associate Agreement between CommuniCare Technology, Inc. d/b/a Pulsara and the City of North Port has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan
Safe Community
Financial Impact
None.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachm...
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