New Innovation to Address System Overload by Systemizing the Field Triage and Treatment of Non-Emergent Patients

Introductory Note from JEMS Editor Emeritus A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P JEMS has prided itself on introducing countless groundbreaking concepts and innovations to the EMS community since its inception in 1980. As an example, in May 1980, JEMS introduced Jack Stout’s Public Utility Model and System Status management which changed the way many EMS Systems operated. His concepts introduced new ways to maximize resources and revenue through changes in the deployment of crews and resources. In Feb. of 1981, Dr. Jeff Clawson’s dispatch priority training and the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS); the impact and designation of Trauma Centers in Oct. 1981; and the use of personal computers in medical data acquisition had major impact on the proper prioritization and deployment of field resources, distribution of trauma patients and computerization of EMS. And, in Nov. 1982, Dr. Rick Hunt, Dr. Bob Bass and other EMS physician leaders announced in an article entitled “Standing Orders vs. Voice Control” that it was time to reduce the “Dr. May I Calls” and allow paramedics to follow established protocols to render care more expediently in the field. It’s my belief that the following article will be viewed as another epic moment in EMS history when a regionalized system of treat, release and follow-up became possible throughout the United States, a system that allows providers to reduce the unnecessary transport of countless non-emergent patients; enables dir...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Administration and Leadership Communications & Dispatch Exclusives California EMS Prehospital Telemedicine Source Type: news