Midland (Texas) Memorial Hospital and the Midland Fire Department are partnering to reduce the number of unnecessary emergency department visits, according to a MyWestTexas.com report.
Under the partnership, a physician assistant or nurse practitioner is part of emergency medical services, and provides mid-level medical care — such as treatment for acute abdominal pain and sprains — when an ambulance is sent to a non-emergency situation, according to the report. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners can provide a higher level of care than paramedics and can prescribe medication.
The goal of the program is to allow the fire department to designate resources to their appropriate level and decrease the number of non-emergency ED visits, according to the report.
The program is one of nine being developed in the region through the Region 14 Delivery System Reform Incentive Plan, a healthcare partnership with 15 other counties, according to the report.
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Under the partnership, a physician assistant or nurse practitioner is part of emergency medical services, and provides mid-level medical care — such as treatment for acute abdominal pain and sprains — when an ambulance is sent to a non-emergency situation, according to the report. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners can provide a higher level of care than paramedics and can prescribe medication.
The goal of the program is to allow the fire department to designate resources to their appropriate level and decrease the number of non-emergency ED visits, according to the report.
The program is one of nine being developed in the region through the Region 14 Delivery System Reform Incentive Plan, a healthcare partnership with 15 other counties, according to the report.
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