DSHS - Registry Solutions Workgroup Update

[Guest guest]

*Registry Solutions Workgroup Update*

At the November 19, 2007 meeting GETAC formed the Registry Solutions

Workgroup to work to solve the Texas EMS/Trauma Registry issues. Over the

past several months the group has tackled issues of governance, funding, and

a process for choosing a new Registry.

*Governance:* The group has developed a draft charter for an ongoing Texas

EMS/Trauma Registry Working Group to advise the Department on matters

relating to structure, function, and maintenance of the Texas EMS/Trauma

Registry. The draft charter is undergoing final review and will be provided

to GETAC at the August meeting.

*Funding:* The Department applied for and received TxDOT funds to develop an

EMS/Trauma Registry that meets stakeholder needs and objectives.

*The Process for Choosing a New Registry: *The workgroup developed a plan

with an ambitious timeline. This plan included a sole source contract with

TETAF to conduct a survey of stakeholders for their input on a new registry

and a survey of other states for best practices. We were in the process of

finalizing a contract with TETAF when we learned that TxDOT had specific

requirements for the use of these federal funds. The Traffic Records

Coordinating Committee (TRCC), the group that oversees how these federal

funds should be spent, and an advisory committee to TxDOT, asked for the

following:

- That DSHS work through the state's central Department of Information

Resources (DIR) to hire an experienced project manager to manage the system

replacement process.

- That DSHS use a formal RFP process to select a contractor to perform

the " Study and Recommend " project.

- And that DSHS go through DIR to hire an IT specialist to ensure that

the current registry remains functional until the new registry becomes

operational.

We have requested a letter from TxDOT outlining the changes being requested.

While these new requirements will extend our timeline (See " TRIP updated

timeline " located at

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/texasems-l/files/) we are still

on course towards a solution. The Registry Solutions Work

Group met and agreed that these new requirements may, in the end, result in

a better decision for the Registry.

We will continue to keep you informed on our progress throughout this

project.

Thank you for all you do,

F. Villanacci, Ph.D., NREMTI

Branch Manager

Environmental and Injury Epidemiology and Toxicology