By: Rodriguez of Travis H.B. No. 3516 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the establishment of a statewide system for the response to and treatment of certain types of heart attacks. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 93.001, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (3) and (4) to read as follows: (3) "Department" means the Department of State Health Services. (4) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. SECTION 2. Chapter 93, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER D. HEART ATTACK RESPONSE AND TREATMENT Sec. 93.151. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "system" means the statewide system for ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack response and treatment. Sec. 93.152. STATEWIDE SYSTEM. The department, in coordination with the council, shall develop and implement a statewide system for ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack response and treatment to achieve continuous improvement in the quality of care provided to ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack patients. Sec. 93.153. ELECTRONIC DATABASE; STATISTICAL DATA AND OTHER INFORMATION. (a) In implementing the system, the department shall create and maintain an electronic database by: (1) compiling information and statistical data on the care and treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attacks and other types of heart attacks; (2) using a using a risk-adjusted, outcomes-based, quality improvement registry maintained by the National Cardiovascular Data Registry or another that focuses exclusively on high-risk STEMI/NSTEMI patients; and (3) coordinating with national voluntary health organizations involved in ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack care quality improvement to avoid duplication and redundancy in information compiled and maintained under this section. (b) To the extent possible, the department shall: (1) require hospitals in this state that provide treatment to ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack patients to report statistical data consistent with nationally recognized guidelines on the treatment of patients with confirmed ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attacks and encourage other hospitals in this state and emergency medical services providers licensed under Chapter 773 to participate; (2) encourage health care providers to share statistical data and other information about methods for improving the quality of care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack patients in this state; (3) facilitate the communication and analysis of statistical data and other information among health care providers who treat ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack patients; and (4) adopt evidence-based treatment guidelines on the transitioning of patients to hospital outpatient, physician office, and health clinic settings in their communities for ongoing care after discharge from a hospital following acute treatment for an ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack. Sec. 93.154. OVERSIGHT PROCESS AND PLAN FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT. The department shall establish an oversight process and implement a plan for achieving continuous quality improvement in the care provided under the system. The process and plan must: (1) analyze statistical data on ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack response and treatment contained in the electronic database established under Section 93.153; (2) identify potential interventions to improve ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack care in geographic regions of this state; and (3) provide recommendations to the department and the legislature for the improvement of ST-elevation myocardial infarction heart attack care and the delivery of that care in this state. Sec. 93.155. AVAILABILITY OF STATISTICAL DATA. The department shall make available all statistical data reported under this subchapter to other state agencies, local governmental entities, hospitals, and emergency medical services providers licensed under Chapter 773 that are responsible for managing and administering emergency medical services in this state. Sec. 93.156. REPORT. Not later than June 1 of each year, the department shall provide to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and standing committees of the senate and the house with primary jurisdiction over health matters a report summarizing the data collected under this section and any related findings and recommendations. The department shall post the report on the department's Internet website. Sec. 93.157. CONFIDENTIALITY. Information obtained under this subchapter that identifies a patient, or that is otherwise confidential under law, is excepted from required public disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not be disclosed for any purpose. Sec. 93.158. RULEMAKING. The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter. SECTION 3. Not later than January 1, 2014: (1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement Subchapter D, Chapter 93, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and (2) the Department of State Health Services shall establish the statewide system as required under Subchapter D, Chapter 93, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.