FRH offers EMS funding assistance; seeks performance review input

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“TO IMPROVE OVERALL SERVICE IN THE COUNTY…BUT THERE ARE STRINGS THAT COME WITH THAT,”

In an effort to help offset the cost of emergency medical services, the Frio County hospital board is offering financial support to Frio County, contingent on participation in quarterly performance reviews of the approved contractor.
Frio Regional Hospital Chief Executive Officer John Hughson said the hospital board is eager and excited to have the opportunity to support EMS and 911 services to the county.
“Essentially the district would put two hundred thousand dollars into escrow and fifty thousand dollars of that would be released per quarter,” Hughson said during a meeting on Friday, August 25. “To improve overall service in county. But, there are strings that come with that. What we would like to have is representative when RFP’s [request for proposals] are reviewed and also ask to review certain performance metrics quarterly.”
Hughson said the board is requesting participation in the review of RFQs due to its ability to recommend a company that would improve the delivery of emergency medical services in the county.
“We want to focus on home medic service that essentially allows for a decrease in transports and emergency room backlog,” the CEO said. “Also there is grant funding for medics to treat minor injuries and medical issues at home.”
The CEO said if the metrics are met, the board would release the $50,000 to the county quarterly.
“We would look at patient satisfaction, response times to transfers, readmission rates,” Hughson said.
Records filed at the auditor’s office show the county pays the current EMS contractors, ShurMed, $525,000 annually.
The county is also seeking financial assistance for EMS from the cities of Pearsall and Dilley.