Council Connect Articles

Santa Clara County Discusses Bypass Policy

Who

Members in Santa Clara County

What

Santa Clara County emergency medical services (EMS) is reviewing its bypass strategy and policy, starting with a dialogue with members in the coming weeks. Currently, hospitals are allowed to go on bypass for 60 minutes at a time; however, hospitals will still be able to receive stroke, ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), and trauma patients. If a hospital goes on bypass for back-to-back 60-minute shifts, it cannot receive stroke and STEMI patients.  

The EMS medical director would like to change this policy to not allow stroke and STEMI patients whenever a hospital goes on bypass. The discussion between EMS and hospitals is scheduled for Nov. 17.  

Takeaway/Next Steps

Stay tuned for meeting outcomes.