Gov. Jerry Brown announced Wednesday he has signed legislation that requires emergency service providers to report data using electronic health records that are compliant with the California Emergency Medical Services Information System (CEMSIS) and the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) standards.
The bill specifically pertains to reporting data to a local emergency medical services agency (LEMSA). “The bill would prohibit a local EMS agency from mandating that a provider use a specific electronic health record system to collect and share data with the agency, the Legislative Counsel’s Digest explained.
AB 1129 was introduced by Assemblymember Autumn Burke, D-Inglewood, who also has introduced a bill (AB 522) in front of the governor that would require the state to develop a vendor assessment and performance system for IT projects reportable to the Department of Technology.
According to an Assembly Floor bill analysis:
“Although the software and hardware must be compatible with CEMSIS, there are many different systems in use and many more available. The author explains that without guidelines in law, LEMSAs are able to require EMS providers in their jurisdiction to purchase specific software or hardware for data collection. Requiring providers that cover multiple counties or contract with multiple LEMSAs to purchase specific software and/or hardware can be an unnecessary and costly burden. The author asserts existing law is silent on whether or not an LEMSA can require a specific hardware or software provider for EMS providers in their jurisdiction.:
The bill was sponsored by the California Ambulance Association and the Los Angeles County Ambulance Association, the analysis said.
