Always Remember the Mission
We are closing out the final months of 2021 active and strong. It is especially rewarding during these busy times to see how our mission, "...to strengthen regional health care delivery systems through collaboration, advocacy, and education," is always at the core of our surveys, the advocacy we do, and the education we provide.
While there has been improvement in some regions with the recent surge of the COVID-19 delta variant, we continue to see the toll it continues to take on many of our hospital partners, Regional Advisory Councils (RACs), and EMS agencies across the state. This has been an important focus during our recent TETAF Advocacy Committee meetings as we strategize how to strengthen our systems by seeking the necessary funding and resources. There is opportunity during the third special legislative session, that began on September 20, for federal funding that could provide assistance with the COVID-19 response. The committee has met with RAC leaders and with legislators and we will share our progress during this special session.
The survey service lines are not affected as greatly by COVID-19 as they were this time last year, but we know the pandemic continues to take its toll in the hospitals. Our thoughts continue to be with all who are ensuring Texas patients receive the best care.
Education plays a critical role in providing quality care, which is why it is an important part of TETAF's mission. It was rewarding joining the trauma surveyor candidates in training as they not only learned our processes, but also why TETAF implemented these critical steps. Our methods are successful in part because our mission to strengthen regional health care systems is always at the forefront of what we do.
I have said it before and it is worth saying again how humbled we are by the work all of you do. There is no doubt that the passion many of you have is driven by a mission similar to ours, whether it is your organization's mission or a personal belief. I am grateful that all of us share a common belief that together, we can provide world class health care to Texans.
Stay well,
Dinah
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Registration Now Open for the TETAF Hospital Data
Management Course in November
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Managing data is essential to improving trauma care. The TETAF Hospital Data Management Course (HDMC) is designed to improve the skill sets of the data entry specialist specific to data input, data abstraction and statistical reporting.
TETAF will offer the course virtually via Zoom on November 1, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central) and continuing on November 2, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Contact hours (12.3) will be offered for those who attend the full course and complete the evaluation.
Here are what a few of our past learners had to say about this course:
"I learned some of the basic and important parts of data abstraction from the patient charts exercises we did. This helped me practice abstracting the correct diagnosis and times."
"I have a better understanding of hospital events and how to follow the NTDB Data Dictionary and appropriately abstract the record. I have learned how to utilize the trauma registry to pull meaningful data for my trauma center."
"I was able to learn some information I needed to implement to my everyday work, understood how to use the ICD-10-CM and the ICD-10-PCS, and the difference between both codebooks."
Save $50 by registering by October 15, 2021!
If you have any questions regarding the course or registering, please contact Aaron Rogers, TETAF survey scheduling coordinator at arogers@tetaf.org.
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TETAF Advocates for Federal Funding During the Third Special Legislative Session |
The TETAF Advocacy team has conducted regular meetings during this third special legislative session to develop a strategic proposal to request funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the Regional Advisory Councils (RACs), EMS, and hospitals.
TETAF has submitted its proposal letter to legislators and the letter can be viewed by clicking the link below.
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TETAF Governance Committee Seeks Nominations to the TETAF Board of Directors |
The TETAF Governance Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2022 TETAF Board of Directors. Members of the TETAF Board of
Directors serve a three year term. Every effort shall be made to recruit and nominate
individuals who will result in a multi-disciplinary board with diversity of geography and experience.
TETAF’s mission is to strengthen regional healthcare delivery systems through collaboration, advocacy, and education. The Board seeks membership that reflects the mission, and our represented organizations. Leaders should have demonstrated expertise in EMS, trauma, stroke, neonatal, and maternal care from across Texas.
Please take a moment to submit nominations via the form linked below. Nominations are due by Friday, November 12 at 5:00 p.m. Central.
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TETAF Finance Committee Seeks New Members |
The TETAF Finance Committee is seeking 2-3 people interested in serving on this committee. Candidates should have an interest in spending time on the details of the budgeting process. The Finance Committee generally meets monthly by Zoom for 1-2 hours to review and approve monthly budget reports for submission to the TETAF Board. The Committee also proposes an annual budget, recommends budget policy to the board, and addresses any budget related issues that arise. It is helpful for candidates to have a background in budgeting/accounting/finance, but it is not a requirement.
Interested candidates should submit their names and a brief background summary to Dinah Welsh (dwelsh@tetaf.org) and Kathy Perkins (cperkins68@earthlink.net) for consideration by TETAF Board Chair, Dr. Craig Rhyne, who appoints all Committee members.
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Next TETAF Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting
Will be in San Antonio
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The next quarterly meeting of the TETAF Board of Directors will be Thursday, December 16 in San Antonio. In addition to the quarterly board meeting, the TETAF General Assembly will conduct its annual meeting and vote in the TETAF Board of Directors election.
More details regarding the location of the meeting and submitting nominations for the TETAF Board of Directors will be shared soon via email and on the TETAF website.
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The Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC) held its third quarterly meeting virtually last month.
During the meeting the director of EMS and Trauma Systems for the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Jorie Klein, MSN, MHA, BSN, RN, provided an update on rule revisions for trauma, stroke, and the Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). The Trauma Rule 157.122 and Stroke Rule 157.1333 are published in the Texas Registrar for public comment. The comment period ends on October 25.
For more information on the rules and other GETAC agenda items, view and listen to the meeting on the GETAC webpage.
GETAC will host its fourth quarter meeting on November 20-22, 2021 in conjunction with the Texas EMS Conference that will be held in-person in Austin.
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DEADLINE: GETAC Committee Appointments Due on October 10 |
If you are interested in serving on a GETAC committee, applications are due by midnight on October 10. Any committee members whose appointment expires in 2021 must reapply to be considered.
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Governor Greg Abbott Appoints Martinez to the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council |
Governor Greg Abbott appointed Ruben A. Martinez of Premont to the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC). Martinez is president and CEO of Zenitram Enterprises, LLC. Learn more about Martinez and his appointment on the governor's website.
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Texas Trauma and Acute Care News |
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Uncompensated Trauma Care Application Due |
All three parts of the Uncompensated Trauma Care Application are due on October 20, 2021 to be considered for hospital allocation funding eligibility.
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Applications Accepted for Texas Hypertension Control Learning Collaborative |
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the American Heart Association are looking for primary care clinics to participate in the Texas Hypertension Control Learning Collaborative (THCLC) to help improve hypertension control rates through the adoption and implementation of self-measured blood pressure monitoring policies and protocols.
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Texas TQIP Quarterly Meeting |
The next meeting of the Texas Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) is scheduled for a virtual meeting on November 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Central.
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Texas Trauma Coordinators Forum Presents Lifetime Achievement Award |
The Texas Trauma Coordinators Forum (TTCF) presented its Lifetime Achievement award to Robin Garza for her years of contribution and dedication to providing quality trauma care in Texas.
Robin has been a TETAF trauma surveyor for many years and we would like to congratulate her on this well deserved honor.
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SAVE THE DATE - December 18, 2021 |
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