(Chelsea Update would like to thank Marc Breckenridge for the information in this story.)
Huron Valley Ambulance recently announced federal approval to improve how it provides care for many patients that call the ambulance service for medical assistance in Washtenaw County.
This new federally sponsored five-year program, created by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, is called Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport or “ET3”.
It will provide our licensed personnel with a wider array of effective patient care options, which can be provided right at home. If needed, the patient can be transported to a primary care physicians’ office or an approved urgent care center, thereby preventing a time consuming and costly visit to the emergency room.
ET3 is designed to test alternative approaches to treating patients that don’t need to go to the Emergency Department.
EMT’s and Paramedics across the country have experienced an increase in responses for medical attention when no priority symptoms are reported by the patient. Historically, transportation to a local hospital has been the only approved option for care.
ET3 will create several additional options including “treatment in-place” using telemedicine technology in partnership with local emergency physicians. ET3 is a strong collaboration between local hospitals, physicians and urgent care centers.
Ron Slagell, HVA’s president and CEO, said in a press release “HVA has a strong history of being a pioneer in advancing care, so we are excited to have been selected to participate in this program, which we believe will benefit patients who need immediate medical attention but do not need to be transported to the emergency department.”
With the data collected through this program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will determine if treating minor issues at home or in an Urgent Care is more cost-effective as well as beneficial for the patient.
Full implementation of the ET3 model is anticipated this spring.
