LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
Medford Program Aims to Address Strain on Local Emergency Services Medford, OR | December 7, 2022 | Press Release
T he Medford Fire Department and Mercy Flights are working together to enhance emergency service delivery in Medford through the Medford EMS Tiered Response Pilot. “This innovative program aims to improve medical services for area residents and reduce the strain on local service resources throughout the Rogue Valley, which have been exacerbated by national workforce shortages, fire season demands, and cost escalations,” said Medford Fire Chief, Eric Thompson. The program is deploying a tiered response model that includes Quick Response Units, Advanced Care Interceptors, and Mobile Integrated Health to assist 911 callers. High acuity medical emergency calls (cardiac, stroke, trauma) will continue to be a joint response between Medford Fire and Mercy Flights to ensure responsiveness to time sensitive emergencies.
Lower acuity medical emergency calls (minor illnesses) will be handled by a new Mercy Flights quick response resource equipped to triage quickly and deploy the appropriate disposition for the patient, including onsite medical attention, advanced care and transport, or follow up care management by Mercy Flights Mobile Integrated Healthcare team. “This collaborative approach addresses the ever-changing emergency service demands at no additional cost to the tax payer,” said Thompson. This program reduces the overuse of emergency services personnel and emergency rooms for non-emergency situations, allocates appropriate emergency medical resources to 911 call types, and improves quality of care for residents. n
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The Business Review | December 2022
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